When business releases new products or new variants of the products or services, the business will need to have branding strategy in place to differentiate the new products/ variants or services from the original products or services.
Depending on their branding strategy, business can use the same trademark for the new products/ variants or services.
Use the same trademark
Using an existing trademark to new classes of products /services enables the new products or services to benefit from the image and reputation of the existing trademark. Owner of the trademark should file application to the Trade Mark Registry to register the trademark for the new classes of goods or services.
Alternatively, business can also:
Create and Register a new trademark
Create and register a new trademark that is more specific and relevant to the new products or services enable your business to target the new or specified customer group like newly married couples, young parents or or to create a specific image for the new lines of products or services.
Use an additional trademark together with the existing trademark
Business can also use a new trademark in conjunction with an existing trademark. Eg. NUTELLA® is generally used with FERRERO®.
Use of Design or Artwork
Alternatively, business can rely on a new industrial design or different artwork of the product or its packaging to signal the new product or variant to the consumers. In this case, this would involve the use and protection of copyright and/or industrial design of the new products.
Whatever the choice or branding strategy, business shall register all their trademarks for all classes of goods/services for which it is or will be used.
For legal advice or services on trademark disputes or trademark infringement, please contact CHOW & CHEUNG, Hong Kong Solicitors & Notary Public. [Tel: +852 2856 3799 Email: cac@ccsn.hk]
www.ccsn.hk
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