Brand protection is a key aspect in the growth of any business in the U.S. and beyond. This is because a tainted image won’t do a brand any good as far as its growth is concerned. This is why brands need to ensure that they protect their brand’s image as much as they can.
The development of technology has made it pretty easy to ruin a brand’s reputation. Just a single negative review can significantly hurt a brand. This is one of the things that have created a huge need for online brand protection.
In this article, we are going to explore what online brand protection is all about, why it is important, and how it can be achieved. Let’s get started!
What is online brand protection?
Online brand protection is all about protecting the intellectual property [IP] of brands online. In simple terms, it involves protecting the image and reputation of a brand online. Intellectual property [IP] protects against copyright infringes, counterfeits, patent abusers, etc.
Why is online brand protection important?
We live in a world where competition is becoming stiffer with each day. So only the best businesses can stand out from the crowd. Businesses with tainted images or bad reputations are less likely to thrive. This is why online brand protection becomes crucial. It can help brands safeguard their image and reputation. In addition to that, brands can be able to handle any issue that may taint their image such as negative reviews.
Of course, it takes years to establish a reputable brand. So, brands need to ensure that they protect themselves from counterfeiters or copyright infringers. Thankfully, online brand protection best practices can help them achieve that.
Online brand protection best practices
Here are some of the best practices that can help brands protect themselves online:
- Registering a trademark
One of the best ways brands can protect themselves online is by registering their trademark before anything else. Trademarks are usually brand names, logos, or slogans used on a brand’s goods or services. Having a trademark is crucial as it identifies the source of a brand’s goods or services, provides legal protection for a brand, and helps protect against counterfeiting and fraud. So it can be very unfortunate for a brand if they lack a trademark as this can expose them to risks, such as counterfeiting and fraud.
Trademarks are generally protected under the Lanham Act in the U.S. The U.S. uses a first-to-use trademark system, meaning that the first company to use a mark in business gains rights in the territory. When applying for the trademark, make sure the details are as accurate as possible. Make sure the trademark isn’t conflicting. That’s why it’s good to search on Google and in the relevant parent office to check if the trademark is already available.
- Responding to reviews promptly
Reviews have become a crucial aspect of business branding these days. Any business will receive reviews, whether positive or negative. Positive reviews can help businesses grow, while negative ones can significantly affect the growth of the business. So, brands need to reduce the chances of getting negative reviews that can ruin their image. They can achieve that by checking customers’ reviews regularly and responding to them promptly. They should also handle negative reviews in the best way possible. For instance, if a customer leaves a negative review about a certain product they have purchased, it is advisable to offer them a number of options to resolve the matter. They can return the product and exchange it, or they can be offered a refund if possible. This can help avoid a negative review that can taint a brands’ reputation that has taken them years to build.
