Tennant IP

23/04/2026

You can buy a domain name for £8.99.

You can register a company on Companies House for £12.

You can set up a social media handle for free.

None of them protect your brand.

Here's what that means in practice:

If someone else registers your brand name as a trade mark in your sector — today, tomorrow, next week — they could legally demand you stop using it. Even if you've been trading under that name for years. Even if you registered it as a company. Even if you own the domain.

A registered trade mark is the only thing that gives you the exclusive legal right to use a name commercially in your category.

And the cost of getting one? Far less than most people assume. Far, far less than the cost of a rebrand, a legal dispute, or lost customers during a forced name change.

The businesses that get into difficulty aren't the ones who didn't care about their brand. They're the ones who assumed they were already protected — because they'd done everything else right.

If you're not certain your name is protected, it's worth taking five minutes to check.

We offer a free initial conversation — no obligation, no pressure, just clarity.

10/04/2026

Is someone else trading off your brand?

You've put years of hard work into building your business — your name, your reputation, your identity.

So when another business starts using something similar — whether that's copying your brand name, selling knock-offs on Amazon or eBay, or even hijacking your business name online — it's not just frustrating. It can cause real, lasting damage.

The truth is, trademark infringement is more common than most people realise. And it's not just a big brand problem.

We regularly help small and medium-sized businesses who've discovered their brand is being used without permission — on social media, online marketplaces, competitor websites, and even as a registered domain name.

If any of this sounds familiar, here's what we want you to know:

✅ You have rights — even if you're not sure what they are yet
✅ There are steps you can take — and the earlier you act, the better
✅ A conversation with us costs nothing — and it might be the most valuable call you make this year

At Tennant IP, we're Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys based in Wales. We help business owners understand what they have, what's at risk, and what they can do about it.

If someone is trading off your brand — or you're not sure whether they are — get in touch. We're here to help.

27/03/2026

Very much looking forward to attending the Big Breakfast next month.

02/03/2026

Most businesses think registering a trade mark completes the job.

In reality, registration is just the beginning.

Trade mark conflicts rarely start with deliberate copying. More often, they arise because:

• another business independently adopts a similar name
• a competitor expands into your sector
• a brand files an application without realising your rights already exist

If you don’t identify these issues early, your options can narrow — and costs can escalate.

https://tennantip.co.uk/trade-mark-watching-service-uk/

In our latest blog, we explain:

What a Trade Mark Watching Service does

Why relying solely on IPO notifications can leave gaps

How early monitoring preserves your right to oppose

Why brand distinctiveness matters even more in an AI-driven search landscape

If your brand has real commercial value, monitoring it is a proportionate step.

Protect your registered trade mark with a watching service. Identify conflicts early and preserve your brand’s value with Tennant IP

18/02/2026

Back in 2019, we made what has turned out to be a very good business decision. We joined the Dragons of Newport Network Group, which resulted in a significant increase in new work and a considerable expansion of our local business network.

As importantly, we have also had the pleasure of meeting a lot of new faces who are now friends.

Interested in finding out more or joining, please send us a message.

Newport is full of independent, ambitious businesses.

Over the past 10+ years, Tennant IP had the privilege of supporting many of them through brand protection and trade mark advice.

Mike Tennant has written a guest article for the Dragons of Newport on why protecting your brand early really matters — especially as the city continues to grow.

If you’re building something in Newport, this may help.

https://dragonsofnewport.com/protecting-your-brand-trade-marks-newport-businesses/

09/02/2026

Design studio or creative agency?

Your clients trust you with their brand – but if the name or logo can’t be protected, they could face disputes, delays or even a forced rebrand. We work alongside agencies to check names, logos and slogans before launch, so your work isn’t wasted.

If you’d like a trade mark ‘safety net’ for your next naming or branding project, send us a message and we’ll explain how we support creative teams.

21/01/2026

Do you work with businesses as an accountant, solicitor, consultant or adviser?

If so, you’ve probably had clients ask things like:

“Is this name safe to use?”
or
“We’re rebranding – do we need to protect it?”

Trade marks are one of those things that often get overlooked… until something goes wrong. A new product launch, a rebrand, or an overseas expansion can all bring unexpected risks if the brand hasn’t been properly checked and protected.

That’s where Tennant IP can help.

We work alongside professional services firms to give their clients clear, practical trade mark advice — helping them:
• avoid costly name clashes
• protect new brands and campaigns
• plan for growth and international expansion
• and deal with any issues if they arise

We’re friendly, down-to-earth and easy to work with — and we’re happy to support you and your clients either directly or behind the scenes.

If you’d like to know how it works, you can find out more here:
https://tennantip.co.uk/industry/professional-services/

13/01/2026

Many businesses only think about trade marks once a problem has already arisen — a delayed launch, an unexpected dispute, or the need to change their name after investing time and money in branding.

At Tennant IP, we see this far too often.

That’s why we now offer practical trade mark presentations for businesses, delivered by our Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys, Mike Tennant and James Manship.

These sessions are designed to help businesses understand:
• how trade marks work
• why early checks matter
• common mistakes to avoid
• how to protect a brand as it grows

We deliver these talks to business groups, start-up organisations, councils, creative industry networks and other organisations that support multiple businesses.

If you’re involved in a group that supports local or growing businesses — or you’re simply curious about how trade marks work — you can find out more here:

https://tennantip.co.uk/trade-mark-presentations-for-businesses/

Practical, jargon-free trade mark presentations for organisations supporting businesses. Learn how trade marks work and why they matter.

05/01/2026

Many businesses assume that registering a company name or buying a domain means their brand is protected.

Sadly, that’s not always the case.

We regularly speak to people who’ve already launched — only to find out later that their name can’t be protected or clashes with an existing trade mark. By that point, changing direction can be expensive and stressful.

A quick check before launch can make all the difference:

✔ Is the name actually available?
✔ Is it distinctive enough to protect?
✔ Could it cause problems later?

If you’re starting something new, rebranding, or supporting clients who are, we’re happy to help with a free 15-minute consultation to answer questions and sense-check ideas.

Feel free to get in touch — or share this with someone who might find it useful.

29/12/2025

As the year draws to a close, many business owners are already thinking about what comes next — launching something new, rebranding, or supporting clients who are planning to do so.

One thing we see time and time again is brands being built before anyone checks whether the name or logo can actually be protected.

That’s when problems arise — disputes, delays, forced name changes and unnecessary costs. The good news? Most of this is entirely avoidable with the right advice early on.

To help, we’ve put together a practical and easy-to-understand guide:

The Essential Guide to Trade Marks for Start-Ups

https://tennantip.co.uk/essential-guide-trade-marks-start-ups/

It explains:

• why registering a company name or domain isn’t enough
• what makes a brand name protectable
• common mistakes start-ups make
• when to carry out clearance searches
• how trade marks support long-term growth

If you’re starting a business, planning a rebrand, or supporting clients through one (accountants, solicitors and advisers), we’d be happy to help.

We offer a free initial 15-minute consultation to answer questions and help you avoid costly mistakes before you commit.

Feel free to get in touch — or share this with someone who might find it useful.

A clear, practical guide for start-ups on how to protect brand names, logos and products with UK trade marks. Learn what a trade mark is, why it matters, how to register one, common mistakes, timelines, and expert tips from Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys.

16/12/2025

Planning to Rebrand in 2026? Read This Before You Start

Rebranding can be an exciting step for any business — a fresh look, a new name, or a chance to reposition for the future.

But one of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see is choosing a new name before checking whether it’s legally available or capable of being protected as a trade mark.

This often leads to:
• wasted design and marketing costs
• unexpected legal disputes
• enforced name changes
• delayed launches
• or having to rebrand twice

These problems are avoidable if the right questions are asked early.

We’ve put together a practical guide setting out 10 essential trade mark questions every business should ask before rebranding in 2026 — covering name availability, distinctiveness, international plans and timing.

Read the full article here:

https://tennantip.co.uk/rebranding-2026-trade-mark-questions/

If you’re planning a rebrand, or even just starting to think about one, this guide will help you avoid expensive mistakes and protect the brand you’re about to build.

Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to talk things through — we’re always happy to help.