Business Information

Archive for July, 2009

The trademark (or brand) will be the name, term, word, sign, design or combination of them that will allow us to differentiate our products or services from those of competition and at the same time, enhance our advertising, allowing us to persuade or familiarize our products or customer service.

In the event that we are confident in the choice of our brand, and have big plans for it, it is important that we protect, the registers, thus, preventing other companies can use the same brand or similar, or that someone we want to copy to take advantage of the prestige of our brand.

Then see the procedure or the generic steps needed to register a trademark:

1. Go to the trademark office records

The name of this office could vary from one country to another, might be called the Trademark Office, the Patent and Trademark Office, the Office of Distinctive Signs, etc.

2. Brand Search history

Once in the trademark office, we request a record search, which involves a search for identical or similar marks which we use, so that we ensure that there is no equal or similar to what we want to register.

In the event that our brand was formed not only by name, but also, for a logo, we must do two searches, a phonetic background for the first case, and a figurative background for the second.

We should note that this search is ultimately for the registration of a mark, because once we file our application for registration, the trademark office will conduct a more rigorous examination.

The delivery time of this report search usually takes 30 minutes to record a phonetic search, and 3 days for a background search figurative.

3. Submit application for trademark registration

Once we have ensured that there is no same or similar mark to which we will use, we must complete an application for trademark registration, and we request the same office delivery.

In that application must describe the mark (indicate the name and logo if we’re going to use one), and identify the products that distinction.

Once completed our application, we must deliver it along with proof of payment for the registration of the mark.

4. Examination of formal requirements check

upon receipt of our request, the distinctive office will conduct a preliminary examination, where verify that our application meets the formal requirements.

This test could last 15 days in the event that our application does not meet the formal requirements, notify us so that we can make corrections.

In the event that our application is approved, the distinctive office ordered us to register the mark published in the official newspaper of the country.

The idea of this publication is to allow anyone to file an opposition to trademark registration.

The deadline for anyone to submit any objections is 30 days.

5. Examination of Records

Once past the 30 days, and in case of failure to submit any opposition, the distinctive office will conduct the examination of registrable and to grant or refuse registration of the mark.

If we have granted registration, our brand will last 10 years counting from the date of grant and may be renewed for successive periods of ten years, indefinitely.

Many years ago understood that strategic planning as a road map that companies and institutions could develop and implement rigidly to achieve its vision has been questioned. I remember perfectly well that we did of Henry Mintzberg in his “Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning” (1994) when he explained that it was all a bit trickier to do a SWOT, issue a mission and deployment strategies.

The dialogue with the changing environment going to be a critical variable in strategic planning incorporating new concepts as emerging strategies. It has rained a lot and Mintzberg’s book maintains interest.

Strategic planning continues to be challenged classical and new questions will rain down from three different perspectives: the changing context, the emergence of innovation as a competitive basis and the priority talent.

Xavier Ferrer in his thesis on innovation seriously questions the validity of the classical strategic planning, arguing that the competitive bases to survive in mature markets are more able to innovate in the ability to plan rigidly. Ferras sensational, we review the history of management and innovation stands as a post-strategic planning.

In addition, discussions have talent shows again the importance that some organizations have historically given the talent over the strategy with an argument could be summarized as: “hire the best and you know what to do at all time.” This would apply to institutions like the University of Cambridge who follows this maxim for centuries and has not gone wrong. Read the rest of this entry »