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If I register a trademark in the US, can I still sell my products in the UK with the US trademark?

Written by Jan Buza

Co-founder of Trama

Yes. A trademark is not a trading license; you can sell products in the UK regardless of whether you hold a UK trademark. What a US trademark does not do is protect your brand in the UK. If a competitor copies your brand name or logo in the UK, your US registration gives you no legal grounds to act against them there.

If the UK is a significant market, registering there is advisable. If you filed the US application less than six months ago, you can claim Paris Convention priority and use your US filing date as the priority date in the UK, which gives you protection against anyone who filed a similar mark in the UK after your US application date.

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