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In the UK, registering a trade mark is a cost-effective way to protect your gaming or software brand. The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) offers a tiered fee structure for trade mark applications:
- Standard Filing Fee: £170 for the first class, with an additional £50 for each extra class.
- Right Start Application: £100 for the first class (with £50 payable on application submission and the balance on acceptance). Each additional class costs £25 upfront and £25 later.
- Renewal: Every trade mark must be renewed every ten years at a cost of £200 for the first class and £50 for each extra class.
These costs are modest compared to the potential financial losses from brand infringement. Trade marking your gaming or software brand ensures that you have exclusive rights to your name, logo, and other intellectual property, making it easier to defend against competitors or counterfeiters.
Types of Trade Marks You Can File
In the gaming and software industries, various types of trade marks can be filed, each protecting different elements of your brand:
- Word Marks: This protects the name of your game, company, or software. For instance, names like Atari or Super Mario are word marks.
- Logo Marks: Protects a visual representation or logo, such as the iconic Atari logo or the Nintendo logo.
- Sound Marks: Unique sounds used in branding, such as a startup sound for a gaming console or a distinctive theme song.
- Mascot and Character Marks: Gaming companies can also trade mark their characters. For instance, Mario from Nintendo or Sonic from Sega are examples of character marks.
- Motion Marks: This relatively new type of trade mark protects moving images, which can be relevant in gaming where dynamic branding elements like animated logos are used.
Filing the right type of trade mark ensures that your brand is protected from various angles, securing your assets against competitors looking to exploit your success.
michael@trademarkroom.com
