IP Clinic: Do I need a lawyer to register my trade marks?

01 February 2010

I am starting a business and want to expand to only a few countries. The process for registering a trade mark in those countries looks simple. Should I do it myself?

The lawyer

Many large and successful businesses start from small roots. Until a solid income stream is established, financial resources will typically be tight. Under these circumstances, there can be a temptation to try to save money by undertaking as many administrative tasks and processes as possible without calling upon professional advisers. However, IP protection is a complex area which is increasingly integral to the success of many modern businesses. If the issue of IP protection is poorly handled at the outset, this can have serious financial consequences for a new business.

While there is always a balance to be struck between the cost of obtaining professional advice and the perceived benefit to the business, the cost of obtaining objective and practical advice (which would ordinarily be given by an IP professional during the initial discussion with the client) should not be prohibitive for most businesses. An experienced IP adviser...

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