Strap lines.

[TotalControl]

Having found a decent strap line I'd like to use with my company name, I'm just wondering if it needs to be registered too when registering my ltd company early next month? Or is the strapline exempt from being registered and fine to use so long as it doesn't conflict with another competitors business? I don't know why, but I always thought there was a requirement for registering it if it is going to be used.

A little confused as google/ business link hasn't brought anything up, but sure you guys will save me yet again.

[3200gt]

The answer is no it doesn't need to be registered with the company but that leaves you open to others using it also. Might be worth regiristing it as a company trade mark to give some protection.

[PetrolTed]

^ What he said. A strapline is a trademark. Look it up at ipo.gov.uk to make sure it or a similar variant isn't registered by someone else.

[TotalControl]

Thanks a lot for that guys. I will indeed look into it.

[Glassman]

Registering a company and applying for a trademark are not to be confused.

[TotalControl]

Glassman said:

Registering a company and applying for a trademark are not to be confused.

Thanks for that. I hope I'm not dumb enough to actually make that mistake.
I will hopefully just set the company up and will apply for a TM later on.

Does anyone have any idea of how much this costs? Is it best to have both the Name and strapline TM'd or just the latter?

[Glassman]

Didn't intend to be patronising - as it may have appeared - my brain has been poisoned by the stupidity of some numpties who frequent a couple of business forums I visit.

Sometimes I forget to switch modes.

[Conian]

GLASSMAN
Asking the simple questions everyone but him knows the answers to

nobody copy that!!!!

[Glassman]

/smashed to pieces

[PetrolTed]

TotalControl said:

Does anyone have any idea of how much this costs? Is it best to have both the Name and strapline TM'd or just the latter?

Depends how many categories you want to register a trademark in. It's something like £250 + £50 per category (it's a few years since I did it).

Best to do both, but it's a long winded process. The urgency will depend on your business sector/success etc.

[TotalControl]

Glassman said:

Didn't intend to be patronising - as it may have appeared - my brain has been poisoned by the stupidity of some numpties who frequent a couple of business forums I visit.

Sometimes I forget to switch modes.

That's okay, happens to us all

PetrolTed said:

TotalControl said:

Does anyone have any idea of how much this costs? Is it best to have both the Name and strapline TM'd or just the latter?

Depends how many categories you want to register a trademark in. It's something like £250 + £50 per category (it's a few years since I did it).

Best to do both, but it's a long winded process. The urgency will depend on your business sector/success etc.

Having a look at the weblink you gave earlier Ted, I'd say probably only 2 categories. There isn't really any urgency at present.I would prefer to build the business organically so that I can handle my workload. When expansion time comes, maybe then would be the best time to TM. Just to cover me when and if the business becomes well known.