Okay, so we don’t have much faith in our judicial systems. We know how ‘go to court’ has become a joke but also a potent weapon in the hands of the corrupt rich and connected!
When Kairos Tablets and Scrolls Limited took on the challenge of ‘bringing back the book better,’ we quickly took out a trademark for ‘… bringing back the book better!’
Then we wanted an online magazine to create awareness on literary ideas and events and took out a patent on ‘Tablets&Scrolls.’ When we replaced that with MuseTrack, we also got a trademark for ‘MuseTrack’ and for its tagline ‘… breaking boundaries, unchaining creativity.’
When Kairos Tablets and Scrolls started its literary-themed fashion line, we took out a trademark for ‘Read & Wear.’
We have a lot of ideas that are under wraps until we get the funds (it’s expensive to get trademarks) to trademark them before we share them with the world.
The cost of trademark is not just for a trademark, but one has to trademark an idea for every industry. So for one idea, you may need to have four to five classes, depending on the industries or sectors you want to operate in.
There are over 40 classes of trademark. For every idea for Kairos Tablets and Scrolls, we may require to register trademarks in three or four classes. Also, there is an additional payment to get a certificate (some agents charge a minimum of N80,000 each for an acceptance letter and a certificate), so Kairos Tablets and Scrolls is content to manage with the Trademark Acceptance Letter for now. Acceptance Letters may be obtained in a matter of weeks, but the certificate takes over a year (I know not why)!
We know that enforcement may take too long and cost too much, but we believe that we should cover our backs. So think twice before you use any of our ideas, approaches and systems, especially when you see the trademark sign in front of them.
The Trademarks Registry and Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment administers protection of Trademarks, Patents and Designs in Nigeria. One has to apply for trademarks through the agents of the Ministry who are usually lawyers, law firms or accounting firms. Unlearned people like us are out!
You should visit the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for more details (I would have directed to their website but there is nothing there).
We are building relationships with some individual and corporate agents of the Ministry and can help you get affordable options.
Protect your business with a trademark!
This is a public service post for those in the book industry!
* Mr. Kabura Zakama is a poet based in Abuja
