Vondelmark advises and assists companies in protecting their intellectual property rights, such as trademarks, designs, tradenames and copyrights.

Below you will find an explanation about the various topics on which Vondelmark can assist you. Naturally you can always contact us if you have any additional questions.

Trademarks

Trademark searches

If your company considers to introduce a new name for a (new) product or service, it is advisable to conduct a trademark availability search, in order to check whether the use of the new name could infringe on existing trademark rights of third parties: You do not want to end up in a situation in which you will be forced to stop the use of your mark on a moment when you already invested a lot of time and money in the new mark.

Vondelmark is specialized in conducting trademark availability searches with, for any country or territory of the world, where-ever the mark will be used. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a first free consult.

Brand protection

"Why is brand protection important?

Every company wants to distinguish its products or services from those of her competitors. A trademark is important tool in this process. A trademark can be a name, logo, packaging or any other symbol that is able to distinguish products or services from those of others.

In order to prevent that third parties will use your mark or a sign which is similiar to your mark, it is essential that your mark is registered.

"How does brand protection work?" In order to be protected, it is necessary to have a trademark registered in the country or territory of use. Another condition is that the mark has a distinctive character; generic or descriptive term can not serve as a trademark.

Trademark watch

After trademark registration in the relevant countries, it is advisable to have your registered mark monitored. By entering your mark into a watch system, you will be informed in a timely manner about possibly infringing marks third parties. This will enable you to take action in an early stage, without incurring high costs..

Designs

Why is design protection important?

When you market a new product with a new and original shape / design, it is recommenable to protect this design against copying by third parties. Through a design registration you are in a position to act against infringing parties.

How does design protection work?

In the Benelux, protection of an appearance (design or shape) of a product can be arranged by submitting a design application. Registering a design with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) gives you an exclusive right in the Benelux area for a period of five years, which can then be extended for four consecutive periods to a maximum of 25 years. The appearance results from the features of, in particular, the lines, the contours, the colours, the shape, the texture or the materials of the product itself or its ornamentation. Products means any industrial or handicraft item.

Copyrights

The copyright law protects any"work", such as books, brochures, films, photographs, musical works, works of visual art and geographical maps. These works should have its own, original character with the personal imprint of the author/maker. The duration of a copyright is 70 years after the death of the author. Copyright is granted automatically, without any (registration) formality.