The conditions to become a trademark differ slightly for most countries, although the process is routinely similar. Applicants are often required to reside in his or her country of application, meet educational and/or professional requirements, pass a qualifying exam and pay an annual government fee. In addition to the process, the responsibilities of a trademark agent are also usually the same. These include overseeing the registration, maintenance and protection of trademarks.
A trademark is often a word, design or number used to distinguish a person’s products or services from those of another. Trademark protection is issued by government agencies and often requires knowledge of applicable trademark laws. To help applicants with this process, trademark agents are employed in many countries.
A person must first meet the residency requirements of his or her country to become a trademark agent. These often specify that an agent must reside in the country of application. A person in the United States, for example, cannot apply to be a trademark agent in India. Following this step, a person needs to learn the particular conditions of his or her trademark agent application. These are likely to differ slightly with each nation.
Trademark paralegals in such countries as Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina can often advance their professional careers by taking a trademark exam. This is similar to the exam required for the United Kingdom’s Trademark Attorney. Although a trademark agent often does not need a law degree, he or she may be required to hold a university degree. In Spain and Portugal, for example, applicants need a college education.
Proper training is often another prerequisite for those who want to become a trademark agent. For example, applicants in Canada must either have professional experience in the area of Canadian trademark law or be an attorney licensed to practice in any Canadian province. Germany, France and Italy are examples of countries where applicants need two or three years of relevant work experience in addition to a university degree.
In some countries, people who obtain an agent degree from an accredited university can represent clients directly before their national Trademark Office. The agent can often sign trademark applications, petitions and denials. He or she can also routinely file oppositions and administrative actions before the trademark office. A trademark agent or lawyer, however, must handle any court presentations or hearings.
After the necessary prerequisites are met, a person seeking to become a trademark agent usually must complete an application and pass a qualifying exam. Courses to help study for the exam are available from some governmental agencies, such as the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. If a person passes the exam, he or she is often required to pay an annual government fee to maintain the credentials.
People who become a trademark agent often prepare, file and prosecute applications for trademark registration. They must be knowledgeable of the laws and procedures that govern trademarks in their country. Trademark registration is not automatic in most countries, so agents usually need to provide clients with advice on how to appeal decisions and alter trademarks to suit agency demands. Agents also usually counsel clients on maintaining their trademark portfolios and keeping registrations updated.