You know even if your Trademark has not gone through the usual trademark registration, you are still the owner of trademark from the point when you start to use it. The law is there to give protection to unregistered Trademark, which is also known as passing off .
What can be a common law In Trademark:
Much like the Registered Trademark, common law trademark can also be anything from symbols, words, graphics, or any such combination. As long as it can distinctly identify your product from another, it can be a common law. A common law Trademark can use “TM” symbol along with their marks when they are trading.
The Difference between a Registered Trademark and Common law Trademark:
1. A Registered Trademark can make a use of ‘R’ symbol while trading whereas in a common law mark, owner can use the ‘TM’ symbol while trading.
2. When it comes to Registered Trademark, Trademark owner can enjoy his right to the fullest and can sue Trademark infringers whereas protection in common law is limited and restricted.
3. Registered trademark can cover a lot more grounds as compare to common law mark. It means that common law trademark is restricted to a very specific geographical region.There are certain rights which are given in common law trademark
1. If you and another person have been using the same trademark while other person has pursued with trademark registration, then two individuals can oppose his mark once it is published in the journal, in such cases the registration is being awarded on the basis of prior usage, i.e. who has been using the trademark earlier.
2. Passing off remedy: this remedy is provided when an individual is using a product from many years and has earned goodwill and become known to the public then you have right to assert your claim towards trademark that are confusing and doing the same business as you. This form of protection is called as ‘passing off’ of Trademark.
Common Law V/s Registered Trademark Registration
This is very common question which comes in mind of every individual when we talk about registered trademark and common law mark. So one should always go for trademark registration as it gives you exclusive right to use the Trademark, and it also gives you right to sue the Trademark Infringer who is illegally or wrongfully using your trademark without your consent.
However Common law is a good protection but it is only for a short term. To that end, if you want a more robust protection when it comes to the matter of protecting the mark that signifies your trade, you should go with Registration.
BIATConsultant is leading consultancy firm in India . In case you are looking for trademark registration online , or is facing any conflict regarding the same feel free to contact us at +919650476099 .