If I'm Starting A New Business, Should I Get A Trademark?

Are you starting a business? Do you have an established business? Have you considered registering a trademark? One of the most important questions entrepreneurs often face is whether to invest in obtaining a registered trademark. Under the Trademarks Act, a trademark is a sign which includes a word, a design, a colour, a hologram, a moving image, a sound, a texture, a scent or a phrase registered in Canada or established through use which acts as a source identifier for a company's goods or services. Simply, this unique identifier distinguishes your brand from others in the marketplace.

The significance of securing a trademark in Canada cannot be overstated. Primarily, it offers federal protection for your brand identity across Canada, preventing other businesses from using your name or logo or a similar name or logo that could confuse consumers in the marketplace and dilute your business' goodwill. Once registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO