Global Managing Attorney Sarah Norkor Anku has issued a stern warning to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to properly register their trademarks by class, stressing that a single registration does not grant blanket protection across all products and services.
Speaking on Joy Business, Ms. Anku explained that company registration is not the same as product or service trademark registration and misunderstanding the difference could leave entrepreneurs exposed to costly brand disputes.
“Registering your company name doesn’t automatically protect every product or service you offer. Each must be registered in its relevant class to enjoy full protection,” she said.
Using a practical example, she noted that a trademark for bottled juice only protects products in that category. If the same company later manufactures laptops or cars, the original registration would not shield those lines.
“If you have registered within the class for juices, the trademark will not protect your cars or computers, which fall under the same company,” she emphasized.
Ms. Anku further clarified that trademarks protect brand identifiers names, logos, slogans, or any other sign that distinguishes goods or services in the market and not the corporate entity itself.
She recounted a cautionary real-world case where a competitor pre-emptively registered a client’s trademark with the Registrar General. The legitimate owner was then forced into a drawn-out opposition process, incurring significant legal costs.
“You now have to come and oppose the registration. It is a long process. It can be cumbersome. You can end up in court and spend money, so secure your trademark early and avoid unnecessary disputes,” she advised.
Industry experts note that as Ghana’s entrepreneurial landscape diversifies, brand protection through correct class-specific trademark registration is becoming as critical as securing funding or market access. Ms. Anku’s advice, they say, could mean the difference between safeguarding a growing brand or losing it entirely.
