You can add a Trade Mark™ symbol if you feel confident that your mark is unique, distinctive, and does not infringe on another mark in any way, while also keeping note (with evidence) of the date you began using it. However, conducting an audit and Registering ® a mark within its business sector and defined class is the recommended legal route.

The registration process can take several weeks, but ensuring your brand has been cleared and legally protected provides a solid foundation for growth, peace of mind, and can enhance value.
(Copyright © protects works such as products, pieces of art, literature, or music.)

Considering our own due diligence, two examples stand out: Net Consulting Limited (NCL) and TPT Consulting & Training Limited.

In both cases, brand audits revealed that there were other organisations with the same initials.

By enlisting the support of an experienced IP lawyer, we received essential guidance throughout the R&D process and all the way through to final registration. The goal was to ensure that what we developed did not clash with existing marks and was safe from any potential challenges.

A notable example of the importance of trademark protection is the ongoing legal dispute between Tesco and Lidl. This case, often referred to as the “Yellow Circle Wars,” highlights how parallel thinking in a similar marketplace can result in lengthy and costly courtroom battles.

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/yellow-circle-wars-lidl-wins-court-of-appeal-round/5119107.article