Top 3 reasons your brand EQUITY might be at risk!

Often times when people start a business they tend to focus on their various business objectives and goals: the services, products, relationships, as well as the administrative and other internal business structures required to make their business efficient. Then after a while, the business name becomes connected with that certain type of product or service. That connection is called the trade mark identification and the value builds with the brand equity and goodwill that are the embodiment of your hard work, time, and other investments.

What most Business owners do is purchase their business cards, marketing ad campaigns, even Google Adwords and they also focus on word of mouth — using their business name. People don't often think of their business name or even the names of their services or products as a valuable place to allocate resources, unfortunately. However, as noted, by simply using a name, a business owner is investing resources in that name.

Quite often, a business name is chosen that is either too descriptive or generic or worse it is already being used. This leads to the business owner being forced to assume a new name, which, aside from money, takes a considerable amount of work, such as:

• Re-filing the necessary documents in order to change the names of regulated financial instruments;

• Investing in all new materials for marketing;

• Spreading the word that the same, trusted product will be available under a new different name; and then portraying this step as a positive change for the business.

Case example: 

A client of mine came to me, while I was in the process of registering his trade mark, letting me know that there was someone infringing upon his rights. I asked him to provide me with all the proof he had in his possession related to his use of the trademark - in Denmark the legislation is a bit different to the rest of the world, because when you begin consistently to use your brand and if it meets certain criteria then an exclusive right to that brand is established. I contacted the infringer and let them know of my clients rights.

Tto cut a long story short the infringer then contacted someone to help them out. It goes without saying that what I argued was correct and the infringer then closed down the use of that trade mark. Their dream was shattered in a million pieces, because their business plan hinged upon that one particular name. My clients business is still building up and up. 

By first doing a proper clearance search, then filing and securing the trade mark protection on a name or a logo, or what ever other type of trade mark you choose, can protect your business against the waste of time and money in relation to a change of name also known as rebranding. Obviously there are no guarantees, but generally in taking these steps it will serve to protect your brand equity.

Even without doing a clearance search, a conversation with me can tell you whether or not your business name is particularly difficult to protect. The next steps may include a search and, then depending on the search results, seeking trademark registration protection. When it comes to your business, a few thousand pounds today can save you tens of thousands pounds tomorrow.

If you would like to solicit my advice in relation to brand or trade mark protection click the button below to book a strategy session: