A trademark is a sign for customers to distinguish your business’ goods and services from those of your competitors, it is often referred as a brand or brand name, and it can be in the form of a logo, graphic, signature or symbol etc. Registering a trademark allows you to protect your brand by restricting other traders to use the same or similar name or logo as your brand, which highly hinders the effort of counterfeiters.
A registered trademark can add value to your business because it protects your market share, you can authorize your brand to third parties such as a franchisee, or you can sell it outright for a specified value. It makes it easier for customers to look for your business, and with a good reputation, customers are less likely to look for an alternatives for the goods or services you are providing. The more your business’ reputation grows, the more valuable your brand will be.
Before you decide to register a trademark, you can always visit this database: http://ipsearch.ipd.gov.hk/tmlr/jsp/main.jsp ran by Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department to do some research on the trademark records and classifications.
Trademarks play an important role in protecting both sellers and customers and it helps promoting global economic growth. Choose a name or logo that can distinctly identify your business will make it easier to promote and protect your brand.