Technology
By Chiazo Ogbolu and Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos, July 20, 2018(NAN) The National Information Development Agency (NITDA) has said that technology will soon eliminate the middleman if he does not properly adopt branding and trademarking in his business or service.
The Head Legal Unit, NITDA, Mr Emmanuel Edet, made the assertion in Lagos at the 2018 Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) .ng Media College.
The event had the theme: “A World of Opportunities: Tapping These Opportunities in the Domain Name System Industry”.
Edet spoke on the topic , ”Brand Protection and Trademarking on the Internet”.
He described brand as a name, term, design or symbol, adding that trademark was part of intellectual property.
“We have to realise that we are no longer living in the traditional age and that technology has taken over so many things.
“Doing business online is the future with value, and has the potential to reach so many constituents; so, there is need for one to do things right.
“Branding and trademarking on the internet come with reputation; they are recognisable, a part of intellectual property and will enrich one’s business when properly adopted,” he said.
He said that a brand might be registered, and when registered, would become a trademark.
He said that trademark must have goodwill.
Edet said that branding and trademarking were both international and vital aspects of intellectual property, adding that trademark distinguished goods and services.
Edet advised that cybersquatting, misspelling, identical domain name, concurrent claims and profit grabbing should be properly looked into.
He said that online presence, registering of domain name, building websites, recognition of social media and development of necessary apps should be ensured to protect brands.
“It is very important for a brand to have an identity through the years,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2018 .ng Media College was aimed at enhancing journalists’ understanding of the domain name ecosystem. (NAN)
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