🎯 You need clear priorities
What to protect immediately, what can wait, and what to avoid – without unnecessary costs.
How we set priorities
- We rank assets based on business impact (sales, margins, expansion) and legal risk (conflicts, counterfeits, free-riding).
- For each asset, we define a strategy: protect immediately • later • do not protect / use another tool (NDA, contracts, quality processes).
- We align this with your launch timeline and budget limits so investments go into what brings the highest level of security and return.
Immediately (0–2 weeks)
- Conflict search and legal clearance of the name and key elements.
- Registration of word trademarks for main markets (EU/UK/USA according to the plan), domain and social handle reservation.
- Registration of design protection for key packaging/label (RCD/UK design; in the US, consider design patents).
- Setup of NDAs and supplier contracts (design, development, manufacturing), including IP assignment clauses.
Soon (1–3 months)
- Expansion of classes/goods and potentially figurative or composite trademarks.
- Customs recordation (EU/UK/US) and brand registry on marketplaces.
- Watch services and internal brand usage guidelines (logo, claims, packaging).
Later (3–12 months)
- Licensing framework and recordation of transfers/licenses (distributors, subsidiaries).
- International expansion (Madrid/Hague/PCT) based on market performance.
- Evidence of use (for the US and for defending genuine use in EU/UK).
What to avoid
- Registering only a logo without a word mark (loss of flexibility during rebranding).
- Overly broad specifications in the US (risk of rejection and costly corrections); better precise and narrow wording.
- “Dead” classes and territories without a business plan (costs without benefit).
- Missing IP assignments from creators/suppliers (weak ownership structure).
Budget framework
- Lean / MVP: clearance search + word marks (EU/UK/US as needed), basic design, domains/handles, NDAs. Goal: secure the essentials quickly.
- Scale-up: class expansion, figurative marks, additional designs, customs recordation, watch services, brand registry. Goal: protection against copying during growth.
- Shield / Global: international expansion (Madrid/Hague), licensing framework, use evidence, portfolio governance. Goal: scalable and enforceable protection.
What we need for a quote
- List of assets (names, logos, packaging, key visuals) and 12–24 month market plan.
- List of goods/services today + within one year, priority channels (e-shop, retail, marketplaces).
- Budget limits and launch deadlines.
