As Scotland's rural community prepares for the most important agricultural show of the year – the Royal Highland Show - patent and trade mark attorneys Marks & Clerk is warning producers to ensure they have the appropriate protection in place for their brands.
With farmers and rural businesses having to diversify to make ends meets, many have developed very successful farm shops and 'brands,' not just for their farms, but the free range and organic produce they sell through websites or at agricultural shows and famers markets the length and breadth of the country.
Campbell Newell, partner at patent and trade mark attorneys Marks & Clerk acts for a number of rural businesses in Scotland and is keen to ensure that the sector is aware of the implications should they continue to grow their businesses unprotected.
Mr Newell said: "There is a great deal of creativity across the sector but it's important that they find out whether a trade mark or brand can be registered and conduct availability searches as well as checking into domain name registrations at an early stage. If they don't, they might find that they have an infringement case from a third party on their hands which could be even more costly."
Marks & Clerk can assist in developing new brand and corporate identities or amend them to ensure that there is no infringement of third party rights.
Mr Newell concludes: "Hundreds of exhibitors attend the Royal Highland Show each year and many could benefit from reviewing their trade marks against competitor activity and seeking assistance from an attorney."