Good news! If you have registered your trademark, you already understand that trademarks greatly contribute to the value of a company and the importance of protecting them.

However, you should always keep the following in mind:

• It's important to use your mark correctly because if you don't, it can be unregistered. Genuine use implies that the mark must appear on the goods or when performing the services. It is also strongly recommended to keep an archive file of evidence of use.

• Affix the marking correctly. Once the trademark is registered, you will have the option of affixing publicly recognized symbols such as ® (Registered) or MD (Marque Déposée). Since these symbols are reserved for registered trademarks, the symbols MC (Trademark), TM (Trademark) must be used for unregistered trademarks. All of these symbols indicate to the public that you are the owner of the mark in question. It is therefore highly recommended to add them now.

• You must not forget to renew your brand. A trademark registration expires after ten years in Canada and in most countries around the world. Luckily, it can be renewed as many times as you want by paying the renewal fee.

• Stop any unauthorized use without delay. Set up a brand monitoring in order to keep an eye on the use or registration of trademarks identical or similar to yours in order to react quickly. 

• Ignore official-looking solicitations from malicious organizations regarding trademark registrations. If you receive an invoice concerning your trademark registration, do not hesitate to contact us in order to verify the information received.

• Consider making a audit annually and produce new applications as needed. In the following cases, it may be useful to protect the mark with the help of a new application or the extension of a registration:

• • New trademarks

You have to think about protecting any new trademarks that may be developed for your products or services.

• • Modification or new logo

It is necessary to file a new application when your logo undergoes substantial changes or a complete metamorphosis.

• • New products or services

Under certain conditions, it is possible to extend the protection of your current registrations to add new products and services offered.

• • New country

It is recommended to protect the brand in countries where:

• • • You offer or plan to offer your products and services.
    • You manufacture your products.
    • You have a distribution agreement in progress or in negotiation.
    • The risk of counterfeiting or piracy is high.
    • The market for your products and services is expanding.

Your trademarks are valuable. They deserve the best protection. Our trademark agents will team up with you to help you maintain the protection of your registrations.