- Why Search Your Trademark?
- The Timing of Your Trademark Search
If your business places any value or significance on a trademark, conducting a trademark clearance search is an important measure that can prevent you from wasting resources in the future. A trademark search evaluates the availablilty of your chosen trademark, thereby significantly decreasing the possibility that your trademark will encroach upon another trademark already being used.
Costly and time-consuming legal action is only the beginning of an infringement or passing-off dispute. If a court finds that you have infringed another trademark or have engaged in passing-off, the consequences can include an order to stop using a trademark that you have invested time and money to build, the payment of damages and legal fees to your opponent, and the destruction or confiscation of all inventory and materials displaying your trademark. A trademark search does not completely eliminate the chances of becoming involved in a dispute, but given the vast number of trademarks existing in the marketplace, even a simple search will go a long way.