Intellectual Property Nightmares: Real Life Brand Horror Stories
Every October, we love a good scare, but for business owners there is nothing more chilling than losing the rights to your own brand. At Robertson IP, we have seen how easily a simple mistake can turn into a full blown intellectual property nightmare.
This Halloween, we are shining a torch on a few spine tingling IP stories that prove why protecting your brand is worth it.
The Café That Lost Its Name Overnight
A small independent café spent years building a loyal following. One morning, a letter arrived from another company claiming ownership of the same name because they had registered the trade mark first.
The café had no choice but to rebrand completely. New signage, packaging, uniforms, everything had to go. It was costly, time consuming, and heart breaking.
Lesson: Always check if your brand name is available before trading and protect it early to avoid unwelcome surprises.
The Designer Whose Logo Was Stolen Online
A freelance designer proudly displayed her logo creations on social media. Within months, she spotted her work being used by another business without permission.
Because she had not registered her logo as a trade mark or design, her options were limited. It took months of back and forth before the copy was finally removed, but the experience left her feeling drained.
Lesson: Posting your work online does not automatically protect it. Registration gives you the legal right to act swiftly if someone copies your design.
The Inventor Who Missed the Deadline
A talented inventor came up with a brilliant product idea, a gadget with real potential. But while perfecting the prototype, he shared his idea publicly at an exhibition before filing a patent.
By the time he approached an IP professional, it was too late. His idea was no longer considered new and could not be protected.
Lesson: Keep your invention confidential until your patent application is filed. A few weeks of patience can protect years of work.
How to Keep Your Brand Nightmares Away
Whether you run a start up or an established company, the best way to avoid an IP horror story is simple. Protect your rights before someone else does.
At Robertson IP, we help businesses secure trade marks, patents, and designs so their ideas stay safely theirs, no matter how crowded the market gets.
Do Not Wait for a Fright
A trade mark or patent might not sound spooky, but ignoring them could come back to haunt you.
If you are unsure whether your brand is fully protected, get in touch with our team today and let us make sure your IP story has a happy ending.
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