
24/07/2025
🚨 Protecting your brand starts BEFORE you file.
Here are 3 common mistakes that can ruin your trademark filing – and how to avoid them.
1️⃣ Choosing a descriptive brand name
❌ Example: ‘The Best Bread’ for a bakery.
✔️ Why is this risky?
A trademark must be distinctive and not merely describe the product or service or one of its characteristics.
2️⃣ Neglecting to search for prior rights
❌ Registering a trademark without checking whether an identical or similar trademark already exists can result in the application being rejected or a legal dispute.
✔️ Why is this essential?
It prevents you from (unintentionally) copying an existing trademark, facing legal action from a third party and wasting time in launching your business. Before filing, conduct a prior art search to identify potential risks.
3️⃣ Choosing the wrong products/services
❌ Registering a trademark without precisely identifying the products and services it covers and the classes to which they belong may limit or invalidate its protection.
✔️ Why is this important?
Your trademark only protects the designated products/services. If you do not target these products and services correctly, you risk leaving areas uncovered for your competitors. Use the Nice Classification and seek advice to ensure you don't overlook anything.
We can help you avoid these pitfalls before it's too late.
Have you ever encountered any of these obstacles when registering a trademark? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
📩 Need help? Our experts are here to assist you: https://loom.ly/e-5aZuA