Protecting your business logo
Your business logo is a representation of your business. It provides an insight into your business which if compelling enough, can attract new clients.
Given how valuable your logo is, it is important that you ensure your business logo is sufficiently protected.
In Australia, copyright is not something you can, or need to apply for – it automatically applies. What many do not know however, is that copyright will only protect your logo in the occurrence of an actual replication of part or all of your design. It will not protect the overall idea portrayed in your logo.
This means a very similar logo could be produced by another company which not only detracts attention from your original logo, but also confuses potential clients.
How then do you stop this happening and ensure your logo remains an original?
One of the best courses of action you can take is to register your logo as a trademark.
Registering your logo and associated wording as a trademark prevents others from replicating your logo and prohibits companies from creating deceptively similar logos. Trademark Registration provides protection throughout the whole of Australia, not simply in the state it is registered.
When protecting your logo, it is also important to clarify exactly who owns the copyright to your design – is it you, your graphic designer or an employee? Steps should be taken to ensure you, and not a third party, control copyright over your business logo.
