Slogans as Trademarks: Can They Be Registered in the UK?

Are you considering establishing your own business? It might be intimidating not to know where to begin because it requires much planning and preparation. One of the initial decisions you’ll need to make is what to name your company.

Your company’s name is the one your audience will remember for a long time, so it’s important to consider it. You’ll also want to ensure that the name is available to register as a trademark. Hence, many brands rely on trademark companies to help them protect their name and logo.

What if your only resource is a slogan? Can you register it as a trademark in the UK? Let’s find out.

Adding Your Slogan to the Trademark Register

If you’re wondering if your local trademark company can add your well-perfected and unique slogan, the answer is yes! Your slogan can be registered as a trademark if another company does not already use it.

Trademarking your slogan is very similar to registering your company name. You’ll need to provide a list of goods and services with which you will associate your slogan and describe how it’s used. Once your trademark is listed, you can use the ® symbol next. This will let everyone know that your slogan is trademarked and that they shouldn’t use it without your permission.

Why You Might Want to Register Your Slogan

• To Prevent Someone Else from Using or Copying It: If you’ve spent a lot of time and attention developing a memorable tagline, you need to ensure that it is safeguarded from being stolen or exploited by someone else.
• To Use It as a Marketing Tool: Trademark registration can also help you use your slogan as a marketing tool. For example, you can include your trademark symbol next to your slogan to show that it’s trademarked and belongs to your company. This can create brand awareness and increase traffic to your website or store.
• To Use It as a Legal Defence: You can use your trademark registration as a legal defence if someone copies or uses your slogan without your permission. This will help protect your intellectual property and enforce your rights to the slogan.

Things to Remember Before Registering Your Slogan

1. Ensure That the Slogan Is Distinctive: Uniqueness is a crucial factor with company names and slogans as it ensures no confusion over which company the slogan belongs to.
2. Check That the Slogan Isn’t Already Trademarked: It’s important to do a trademark search to ensure that the slogan isn’t already trademarked by someone else. You can also consult a trademark company to see if you can still register your slogan.
3. Make Sure the Slogan Is Original: The slogan should be original and not copied from another company or individual.
4. Record When and Where the Slogan Is Used: This will help you enforce your trademark rights if someone uses your slogan without permission.

Final Thoughts

Although slogans can be registered as trademarks in the UK, you must meet certain criteria to protect them. The slogan must be distinctive and not too descriptive of the product or service that it is associated with. Additionally, it must be used commercially to be registered as a trademark. By following this article, you are taking the necessary steps to protect your slogan as a trademark.

For more than 15 years, Trademarkroom has filed trademarks worldwide. Our reliable and cost-efficient trademark company has served businesses and entrepreneurs with trademark registration and protection services. Contact us today for more information!