In Australia, trade mark applications are submitted online to
IP Australia, the governing body for intellectual property rights.
Several criteria must be met before application can be formally lodged. Performing an in-depth trade mark search before applying is recommended.
This not only checks for similar existing trade marks but also reviews the likelihood of your application being successful before you pay any trade mark application fees.
Once you have determined the uniqueness of your trade mark you will then need to decide on the type of trade mark being applied for and how your trade mark will be classified.
With 45 possible classes, this can be a difficult undertaking and one that is easy to get wrong.
Following the completion of your online application for trade mark registration, it will then proceed through an examination and advertisement to the public. If there is no opposition or concerns raised, your trade mark will be accepted for registration and will then be granted.
This entire process from start to finish can take seven to twelve months or more assuming there are no complex objections or issues.
During this time you can check your progress by performing a trade mark application number search as needed.