Trademark misuse
Review use of brand names and marks in online listings, pages and other visible content.
IP PROTECTION
Protect the identity behind your brand.
Identify potential misuse of your trademarks, brand assets and digital identity, then define an appropriate response.
The context
Brand misuse takes more than one form.
A brand name, image or other asset can be used online in ways that confuse customers or suggest an association that does not exist. Understanding the specific use and its context helps distinguish a concern from an authorized or otherwise legitimate use.
Assessment considers the relevant rights, the way an asset appears and the conduct involved before a report is considered. Registering a domain name does not by itself create intellectual-property rights over every use of that name. Designs and patents may be relevant context, but this service is focused on identifying and supporting responses to online misuse.
Where to look
A coordinated view of your brand assets.
Impersonation & misleading profiles
Assess profiles or pages that may misrepresent an affiliation with your brand.
Brand asset misuse
Consider the use of logos, imagery and other original assets in potentially misleading contexts.
Suspicious domains & traffic diversion
Review domain use and destinations that may confuse visitors or divert expected traffic.
A considered response
Connect rights information to a suitable response.
- 01
Map Your Rights
Identify brand assets, rights documents and the scope of any authorization.
- 02
Assess the Misuse
Consider how the asset is used, possible customer confusion and the relevant channel.
- 03
Coordinate the Response
Prepare an appropriate report or identify when further specialist review may be needed.
Prepare for review
Build a clear picture of your brand.
Sharing clear context helps focus the discussion. You can begin with the information already available to your team.
- Registered marks and relevant territories.
- Official websites and social accounts.
- Brand guidelines and original assets.
- Examples and URLs of suspected misuse.
- Authorization to act, where applicable.
Useful context
Frequently asked questions
Every situation depends on the facts, available evidence and the relevant channel or market.
What is the difference between trademark misuse and impersonation?
Trademark misuse concerns how a mark is used in context. Impersonation describes conduct that may falsely present a person, profile or page as connected with a brand. An issue can involve one or both, depending on the facts.
Can a similar domain always be taken down?
No. Similarity alone does not establish that a domain violates a right or a policy. The use, rights, destination and relevant dispute process all matter.
Do you handle trademark or patent registration?
This service focuses on identifying and supporting responses to online misuse. It does not include trademark or patent registration, legal representation or patent litigation.
What happens when an issue requires legal advice?
We can help identify when an issue appears to need deeper legal assessment. Advice should come from an appropriately qualified professional for the relevant jurisdiction.
Start with clarity
Build a clearer protection strategy.
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