FAQ TRADEMARK WATCHING
What exactly is trademark watching?
Trademark watching is an invaluable tool in detecting trademark infringement. As soon as a violating trademark is being applied for registration, we will notify you immediately. Trademark watching allows you to react quickly and accurately to minimise the damage and prevent the costs of expensive legal procedures.
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Why is trademark watching necessary?
By registering a trademark you own the right to that trademark. Is it however still possible for someone else to register a highly similar trademark thereby infringing on your right. You have to take action against this yourself. Should you not do this, it can have disadvantageous consequences for your trademark rights. This is why you need trademark watching.
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How does trademark watching work?
With trademark watching from Knijf Trademark Attorneys, your trademark will be compared constantly with newly published trademark applications. We will notify you immediately should a conflicting trademark be detected. This allows you to take action at an early stage. Experience shows that in case of infringement, taking early action will frequently lead to a positive result.
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Does trademark watching prevent trademark infringement?
Infringement on your trademark by a third party is impossible to prevent. However, if infringement has been committed it is imperative that you take action as soon as possible. With trademark watching you will be advised of infringement at the earliest possible stage. Experience shows that in case of infringement, taking early action will frequently lead to a positive result.
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Can I detect trademark infringement myself?
Thousands of trademarks are being registered every day. It is highly impractical to personally check the trademark register for possible infringement on a daily basis. This is why Knijff Trademark Attorneys offers a trademark watching service.
It is however necessary that, adjacent to our trademark watching service, you keep a sharp eye on your own market yourself, in case a similar trademark is being used by a third party. Should you detect infringement, please contact us as soon as possible.
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What are the advantages of trademark watching?
- You will be notified swiftly of infringing trademarks, company names, domain names etc.
- You will still be able to make use of special opposition procedures that are available for only a short period of time.
- By acting swiftly, the third party is often still in a preparatory phase and will be more willing to accept a different mark.
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Why do a wordmark and a device have to be watched separately?
With composite trademarks that are made up out of a word as well as a device, it might be necessary for the different elements to be watched separately.
Wordmark watching
You can choose to have different distinguishing elements of your trademark watched.
More often than not the most important element is the word. In case of for example, the word
will be watched through wordmark watching. Should an identical or similar word be registered this will show up in our watching.
Device watching
Visual elements and logos can also be very distinguishing. Picture the
from Nike for example. With watching the device (also known as 'logo') the visual elements of your trademark are being watched. In case of the device of the shell. Should an identical or similar device be registered it will show up in our watching.
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What is the use of company name watching?
An identical or similar company name can have inconvenient consequences for your trademark. Your clients could get confused or a carefully constructed image could get spoiled. With company name watching we will monitor the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce. Should an identical or similar company name be registered, it will show up in our watching and you will be notified.
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What is the use of domain name watching?
A domain name is usually nothing more than the use of your trademark or company name on the Internet. It is therefore very likely you would like to keep the domain name for yourself.
The domain name watching of Knijff Trademark attorneys checks all newly registered domain names. Should you wish so, even worldwide! Should we encounter a domain name that strongly resembles your trademark and is possibly deceptive, we will notify you immediately.
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I have no trademark, but only a company name. Is trademark watching still relevant?
Most certainly! You would want to maintain the exclusive use of your company name to prevent confusion. That is why it is important to stay informed of which company names are being registered as trademarks. Should an identical or similar trademark be registered, we will notify you immediately. This way you will be able to react quickly to possible infringing trademarks and prevent someone else from becoming active under that name.
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In what regions can I have my trademark watched?
There are three regions for which you can have your trademark watched. Which region you choose, depends on where you use and/or have registered your trademark.
Benelux trademark watching
If you are using your trademark solely in the Benelux (or one of the Benelux countries), trademark watching for the Benelux will be sufficient. Should your trademark be registered or used abroad as well, you would want to be informed of trademarks being registered in other countries. Tailored watching is recommended in this case.
European trademark watching
For trademarks that have been applied for registration in the European Union or have been registered in a number of European countries, European watching is advised. You will be informed of trademarks that have been applied for registration in one of those European countries. This includes Switzerland, Turkey and Russia.
Worldwide trademark watching
For trademarks that are also used outside of Europe, worldwide watching is advised. If a similar trademark is being filed for registration anywhere in the world, you will be notified. This is also an adequate tool to detect whether your distributors register your trademark without your permission or knowledge.
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I have not received any news about my watched trademark for a long time. Is trademark watching still necessary?
It most certainly is! Is it possible you have not heard from us about a potentially infringing trademark. That is good news actually! Your trademark is not in the crossfire. Should a similar trademark be applied for registration in the future, we will let you know immediately. We will then advise you on the best course of action. In the meantime we will compare your trademark daily with new trademark registrations or applications of third parties.
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How can I reduce the costs of my subscriptions?
Knijff Trademark Attorneys offers lucrative subscriptions of 3 or 5 years. The longer your subscription is, the lower the annual costs.
This way, your trademark is being watched for a lower tariff and you do not have to think about it. Very economical and easy, especially considering the risk you run. You can upgrade your subscription online from 1 to 3 or 5 years. Click on 'My trademark watching' and calculate your discount. We will invoice you for the total cost of a multi-annual subscription.
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I sometimes receive invoices with different amounts than stated on the tariff list of Knijff Trademark Attorneys. How is this possible?
We calculate the annual tariff pro rata depending on the moment we start watching your trademark. If we start in the first half of the year, the annual tariff is divided by the remaining months of that year. This is reflected on the invoice. If we start watching during the second half of the year, we will invoice you the amount for the remaining months of the year plus the amount for all of the following year.
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How can I renew my subscription?
Your subscription will be renewed automatically at the end of the subscription period that was agreed upon. Renewals are for 1, 3, or 5 years, unless agreed differently.
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How can I cancel my subscription?
Cancellation of your subscription has to be done in writing before December the 1st of the calendar year in which the subscription ends. This also applies to wordmark watching subscriptions that have been acquired free of charge.
Back to top
What exactly is trademark watching?
Why is trademark watching necessary?
How does trademark watching work?
Does trademark watching prevent trademark infringement?
Can I detect trademark infringement myself?
What are the advantages of trademark watching?
Why do a wordmark and a device have to be watched separately?
What is the use of company name watching?
What is the use of domain name watching?
I have no trademark, but only a company name. Is trademark watching still relevant?
In what regions can my trademark be watched?
How can I reduce the costs of my subscriptions?
How can I renew my subscription?
How can I cancel my subscription?
What exactly is trademark watching?
Trademark watching is an invaluable tool in detecting trademark infringement. As soon as a violating trademark is being applied for registration, we will notify you immediately. Trademark watching allows you to react quickly and accurately to minimise the damage and prevent the costs of expensive legal procedures.
Back to top
Why is trademark watching necessary?
By registering a trademark you own the right to that trademark. Is it however still possible for someone else to register a highly similar trademark thereby infringing on your right. You have to take action against this yourself. Should you not do this, it can have disadvantageous consequences for your trademark rights. This is why you need trademark watching.
Back to top
How does trademark watching work?
With trademark watching from Knijf Trademark Attorneys, your trademark will be compared constantly with newly published trademark applications. We will notify you immediately should a conflicting trademark be detected. This allows you to take action at an early stage. Experience shows that in case of infringement, taking early action will frequently lead to a positive result.
Back to top
Does trademark watching prevent trademark infringement?
Infringement on your trademark by a third party is impossible to prevent. However, if infringement has been committed it is imperative that you take action as soon as possible. With trademark watching you will be advised of infringement at the earliest possible stage. Experience shows that in case of infringement, taking early action will frequently lead to a positive result.
Back to top
Can I detect trademark infringement myself?
Thousands of trademarks are being registered every day. It is highly impractical to personally check the trademark register for possible infringement on a daily basis. This is why Knijff Trademark Attorneys offers a trademark watching service.
It is however necessary that, adjacent to our trademark watching service, you keep a sharp eye on your own market yourself, in case a similar trademark is being used by a third party. Should you detect infringement, please contact us as soon as possible.
Back to top
What are the advantages of trademark watching?
- You will be notified swiftly of infringing trademarks, company names, domain names etc.
- You will still be able to make use of special opposition procedures that are available for only a short period of time.
- By acting swiftly, the third party is often still in a preparatory phase and will be more willing to accept a different mark.
Back to top
Why do a wordmark and a device have to be watched separately?
With composite trademarks that are made up out of a word as well as a device, it might be necessary for the different elements to be watched separately.
Wordmark watching
You can choose to have different distinguishing elements of your trademark watched.
More often than not the most important element is the word. In case of for example, the word
will be watched through wordmark watching. Should an identical or similar word be registered this will show up in our watching. Device watching
Visual elements and logos can also be very distinguishing. Picture the
from Nike for example. With watching the device (also known as 'logo') the visual elements of your trademark are being watched. In case of the device of the shell. Should an identical or similar device be registered it will show up in our watching. Back to top
What is the use of company name watching?
An identical or similar company name can have inconvenient consequences for your trademark. Your clients could get confused or a carefully constructed image could get spoiled. With company name watching we will monitor the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce. Should an identical or similar company name be registered, it will show up in our watching and you will be notified.
Back to top
What is the use of domain name watching?
A domain name is usually nothing more than the use of your trademark or company name on the Internet. It is therefore very likely you would like to keep the domain name for yourself.
The domain name watching of Knijff Trademark attorneys checks all newly registered domain names. Should you wish so, even worldwide! Should we encounter a domain name that strongly resembles your trademark and is possibly deceptive, we will notify you immediately.
Back to top
I have no trademark, but only a company name. Is trademark watching still relevant?
Most certainly! You would want to maintain the exclusive use of your company name to prevent confusion. That is why it is important to stay informed of which company names are being registered as trademarks. Should an identical or similar trademark be registered, we will notify you immediately. This way you will be able to react quickly to possible infringing trademarks and prevent someone else from becoming active under that name.
Back to top
In what regions can I have my trademark watched?
There are three regions for which you can have your trademark watched. Which region you choose, depends on where you use and/or have registered your trademark.
Benelux trademark watching
If you are using your trademark solely in the Benelux (or one of the Benelux countries), trademark watching for the Benelux will be sufficient. Should your trademark be registered or used abroad as well, you would want to be informed of trademarks being registered in other countries. Tailored watching is recommended in this case.
European trademark watching
For trademarks that have been applied for registration in the European Union or have been registered in a number of European countries, European watching is advised. You will be informed of trademarks that have been applied for registration in one of those European countries. This includes Switzerland, Turkey and Russia.
Worldwide trademark watching
For trademarks that are also used outside of Europe, worldwide watching is advised. If a similar trademark is being filed for registration anywhere in the world, you will be notified. This is also an adequate tool to detect whether your distributors register your trademark without your permission or knowledge.
Back to top
I have not received any news about my watched trademark for a long time. Is trademark watching still necessary?
It most certainly is! Is it possible you have not heard from us about a potentially infringing trademark. That is good news actually! Your trademark is not in the crossfire. Should a similar trademark be applied for registration in the future, we will let you know immediately. We will then advise you on the best course of action. In the meantime we will compare your trademark daily with new trademark registrations or applications of third parties.
Back to top
How can I reduce the costs of my subscriptions?
Knijff Trademark Attorneys offers lucrative subscriptions of 3 or 5 years. The longer your subscription is, the lower the annual costs.
This way, your trademark is being watched for a lower tariff and you do not have to think about it. Very economical and easy, especially considering the risk you run. You can upgrade your subscription online from 1 to 3 or 5 years. Click on 'My trademark watching' and calculate your discount. We will invoice you for the total cost of a multi-annual subscription.
Back to top
I sometimes receive invoices with different amounts than stated on the tariff list of Knijff Trademark Attorneys. How is this possible?
We calculate the annual tariff pro rata depending on the moment we start watching your trademark. If we start in the first half of the year, the annual tariff is divided by the remaining months of that year. This is reflected on the invoice. If we start watching during the second half of the year, we will invoice you the amount for the remaining months of the year plus the amount for all of the following year.
Back to top
How can I renew my subscription?
Your subscription will be renewed automatically at the end of the subscription period that was agreed upon. Renewals are for 1, 3, or 5 years, unless agreed differently.
Back to top
How can I cancel my subscription?
Cancellation of your subscription has to be done in writing before December the 1st of the calendar year in which the subscription ends. This also applies to wordmark watching subscriptions that have been acquired free of charge.
Back to top
