Essential Trademark Insights for Accounting Firms
Standing out in the market is highly important for accounting and audit companies in the UAE given the tough competition in the local market. Conducting trademark registration in the UAE is the best way to ensure this. The large accounting firms know their brand game well but the small and medium accounting firms need to up their brand game as well. Trademark agents in the UAE can help such companies protect their brands through trademark registration.
However, getting a trademark registered in the UAE is not child’s play. Businesses need to know the trademark laws and procedures before applying for brand registration in the UAE. The blog below contains essential trademark insights every accounting & audit firm needs to know. Explore the article for more information:
Understand Why Trademark Registration Is Important
Do not jump into the water without analysing the relevance of conducting trademark registration in the UAE. Your accounting firm’s name is your company’s brand identity and it is the first thing potential clients see when they arrive at your office. The company name is also what your clients use while talking to colleagues and sending you referrals. If you are not protecting the brand’s name with trademark registration, your brand identity will be at risk.
Your competitor can use a similar name that may confuse your potential clients. Without a registered trademark, you will be lacking the legal power to take action against an identical or confusingly similar trademark. This is the reason why big accounting firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) etc. have protected their valuable trademarks. Therefore, try to register your company’s name as a trademark as soon as you develop a brand around the name.
Carry Out a Comprehensive Trademark Search
We just talked about how a similar trademark can put your business at greater risk. Similarly, your proposed trademark can be infringing upon the registered mark of your competitor. They will be watching trademark applications filed with the UAE Trademark Office and they may object to your application if they find it similar to theirs. Facing opposition from the owners of registered trademarks must be avoided at any cost as it may lead to rejection or lengthy trademark disputes.
You can avoid trademark opposition in the UAE by conducting a trademark search. You can perform a trademark search in the UAE by searching for any match in the Official Trademark Data Base. If you find any identical or similar match, you can opt for a rebranding. If no match is found, then you can proceed with trademark registration in the UAE. Trademark agents in the UAE can carry out a comprehensive trademark search on your behalf.
Identify Which Class Your Trademark Belongs to
While registering a trademark in the UAE, you need to choose an appropriate trademark class as per the Nice Classification. Registering a trademark under a specific class prevents someone from registering the same or similar trademark within the same class. This stops someone who is selling the same products or services having the same/similar trademark as you. Class 35 is the primary class for accounting & bookkeeping services.
Register in Multiple Countries
Registering a trademark in countries outside the UAE is essential if you are planning a business expansion or you already have a business presence abroad. After trademarking your brand in the UAE, you can apply for protection in countries where you plan to expand your business. You do not need to file separate applications in each target jurisdiction, as it will be costly.
You can apply for international trademark registration through the Madrid Protocol, which allows you to get protection in more than 125 countries through a single application. Moreover, you can file the application in a single language by paying only a single set of fees. Trademark agents in the UAE can assist you with the Madrid Protocol system.
Monitor for Infringement
Your responsibilities as a trademark owner do not end after obtaining trademark registration in the UAE. You need to ensure that no other business is infringing upon your registered trademark. If you do not monitor the marketplace and enforce your trademark rights, you may risk your trademark rights to an infringer. By availing of trademark watch services in Dubai, you can receive alerts if someone is using your trademark without authorisation.
Consult with the Best Trademark Agents in the UAE
It is essential for accounting service providers to carry out trademark registration in the UAE to ensure brand recognition and avoid infringement. By registering a trademark in the UAE, you can get benefits such as nationwide protection, customer loyalty, eligibility for international protection, and the legal right to fight infringers. However, the rules and procedures of the Trademark Office can be tough to grasp for which you can seek the help of trademark agents in the UAE such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP).
JIP offers reliable trademark services in the UAE if you would like assistance in protecting your trademark. We are one of the leading IP firms in Dubai with years of experience. We offer cost-effective trademark services in Dubai such as trademark registration/renewal, trademark watch, trademark search etc. JIP also provides worldwide trademark registration under the Madrid Protocol.