Intellectual property, trademarks specifically.
I've noticed many businesses in my industry have not registered their names as trademarks.
Most only have a domain name and likely registered as a business name.
To my knowledge, owning the trademark in the respective class gives the highest power over lesser registrations.
Would it be a low act to register existing business names to use for advertising purposes, even if not trying to force the existing businesses to stop using the name?
Can the existing businesses fight this based on their history of use?
From what I've read, if you're first to trademark the name, you have the power.
I really think that small/medium sized businesses overlook this vital task when starting up.
I've noticed many businesses in my industry have not registered their names as trademarks.
Most only have a domain name and likely registered as a business name.
To my knowledge, owning the trademark in the respective class gives the highest power over lesser registrations.
Would it be a low act to register existing business names to use for advertising purposes, even if not trying to force the existing businesses to stop using the name?
Can the existing businesses fight this based on their history of use?
From what I've read, if you're first to trademark the name, you have the power.
I really think that small/medium sized businesses overlook this vital task when starting up.