Trademark registration is often treated as a "cost line". Viewed from the right perspective, however, registration is not an expense — it is an investment in one of your business's most lasting assets. This article covers that perspective.
A Trademark Is an Asset
As an intangible asset, a trademark carries value on the company balance sheet and can be assigned, licensed and inherited. See our article Trademark Assignment and Inheritance on this. In other words, money spent on a trademark doesn't disappear as an expense — it turns into an asset that can grow.
The Returns of Registration
- Exclusive right: The power to stop competitors using your name.
- Market value: Increased company value in the eyes of investors and buyers.
- A revenue model: The ability to earn income from your brand through licensing and franchising.
- Marketplace access: Entry to programmes like Brand Registry; see Amazon Brand Registry.
The Hidden Cost of Staying Unregistered
The real cost is usually not the fee for registering, but the bill for not doing so: loss of the name, rebranding expense, missed market opportunities and legal risk. See our article 10 Problems Faced by Companies Without a Registered Trademark for detail. These hidden costs are typically many times higher than the registration fee.
Assessing the Cost Correctly
The registration fee needs to be weighed against the value of the protection and opportunities it provides. We set out the fee structure in Trademark Registration Fees; what matters is choosing the offer with the clearest scope, not the cheapest one.
Conclusion: Not a Cost, a Decision
Trademark registration is a strategic investment in your brand's future. Done early and correctly, its return far exceeds its cost. Secure your brand's value with Webx.