Trade Marks
Trade mark services for Australian businesses
A trade mark can protect the name, logo or other sign customers use to identify your business. We help start-ups, small businesses and family businesses investigate availability, apply for registration, maintain existing rights and document changes in ownership.
Search and register
Maintain and transfer
Start with the decision in front of you
Trade mark work is not limited to filing an application. A business may first need to assess whether a proposed name is available, decide which version of a brand to protect and identify the correct owner. Existing registrations later need renewal, and a sale or restructure may require ownership records to be changed.
This area separates those steps so you can begin with the work you need now. Each page explains the information to gather, the issues we review and the next stage if the matter can proceed.
Search and register
An availability search helps identify earlier marks and other issues before substantial money is committed to a name, logo, packaging or launch. Registration advice then considers the proposed owner and the goods and services that need protection.
Maintain and transfer
A registration should remain aligned with the business that uses and controls the brand. Renewals, business sales and restructures are opportunities to check the owner, contact details, scope of protection and supporting licence or transfer documents.
Connected business advice
Trade marks often sit alongside company, trust, franchise, licensing and business-sale arrangements. We can identify the related legal work and coordinate the documents so the brand is not treated separately from the transaction it supports.
Frequently asked questions
Which trade mark service should I start with?
If the mark has not been filed, start with searches and registration advice. If it is already registered, send us the registration details and explain whether you need a renewal, transfer or ownership update.
Is a business name the same as a trade mark?
No. A business name permits trading under that name, but it does not by itself create the exclusive rights that may arise from trade mark registration.
Can Abbots Legal confirm the scope and cost first?
Yes. We review the mark, owner, relevant documents and work required, then confirm the proposed scope, fee and expected process in writing before beginning.
What if the matter becomes disputed?
Tell us about any objection, opposition, letter of demand or competing use as early as possible. We will assess the issue and confirm whether we can assist or whether specialist referral is appropriate.
Send the proposed or registered mark, the owner details and a short description of the goods or services connected with it.
Ask about your trade markLet's start the conversation.
Tell us about your matter and we'll respond within one business day. Transparent fees: a written estimate before work begins, fixed-fee options where we can, and we tell you immediately if the scope changes.