Trade Mark registration rising for South West businesses

Intellectual Property specialists at leading South West law firm, Stephens Scown LLP, have highlighted a growing number of South West businesses are turning to trade mark registration in order to protect their brands.

Research has shown that of the 25,000 UK trade marks registered in 2011, 2,047 were in the South West, an increase of 6% on the previous year, with the number of filings also increasing by 14%

Firms with trade marks are 21% more productive, and those who regularly trade mark have 20% larger workforces. Figures also highlight the importance of small and medium sized businesses in protecting their brands.

Ben Travers, Head of Intellectual Property and IT at Stephens Scown, explained: “The South West has some great brands across a range of sectors – we have some of the finest food and drink in the world, a thriving creative industry, the region has been at the forefront of renewable energy and has for many years been a top tourist destination. For these businesses their brand is often one of their most valuable assets and we are seeing an increase in businesses looking to protect this asset.”

Trade mark registration creates a government endorsed monopoly that can last forever and provides greater protection against others trading off of a company’s brand. It is the way the law protects reputation and ‘word of mouth’.

Ben added: “There is an increasing understanding that registering trade marks is not just for large international companies and should be looked at by businesses as an integral part of their business strategy. A trade mark registration entrenches your reputation, protects against someone registering your brand before you do, and adds to the bottom line. We advise clients, whether they are a start up or an established brand, that they should have this protection in place.”

Stephens Scown has over 40 partners and 230 staff across its offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell. For more information visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk