Posted by Editor | Comments Off on How to Protect Your Trademark
How to Protect Your Trademark
A registered mark is a graphical representation of the company’s logo or name that distinguishes its products and/or services from others. Like most type of intellectual property, it can be protected by the national laws in Singapore where the trademark registration has been approved.
Having a brand name registry is different from having just an unregistered logo or name. Any business can create the latter, but other entrepreneurs can take advantage of the reputation and make a similar brand to confuse your customers.
Registration Process
The solution for avoiding infringement, if you accidentally copy a logo, and being taken advantage by copycats is to register trademark or to apply for exclusive rights to use your trade name. Since intellectual property is territorial in nature, it means that you should apply for copyright registration at the country or other territories outside Singapore where you wish to have your brand protected. There is a slight difference in the national and international registration process, but these are the basic trademark application steps:
1. First, create a TM that can be graphically represented and distinguishable from other existing trademarks. Submit this along with the name of the owner, complete address, list of goods and/services represented by the trademark, classification of the goods and/services included in the list, declaration of intent to use trademark, and payment for the application fee based on the class of goods and/or services.
2. IPOS, the bureau that will handle all cases involving IP, will examine the application. If there is a missing document or if the trademark cannot be registered, the applicant will be given time to amend or complete the application. If the owner needs to amend the application, the following are required: amendment form, amendment fee, and payment for service bureau charges. The trademark will be compared through a trade mark search to look for similar brands or logos.
3. Next, the trademark will then be published on the Trade Marks journal so that the public can scrutinize it. The public is given two months to file an opposition to the application. If there is a contesting party, a proceeding will be scheduled.
4. If there are no objections to the trademark application, the owner will then receive a registration certificate from IPOS. This registration grants the owner and the brand protection of the laws for the next 10 years. As for the business mark renewal process, you can still renew trademark in Singapore after expiration.
5. Once the trademark has been registered and approved in the country of origin, the owner can now apply for international registration through the Madrid Protocol. It will also undergo examination and publication in the designated countries before it can be granted protection.
Rights and Protection
The time, effort, and cost of filing a trademark are less than having to pay for damages or pursuing an infringement case against a copycat without having proof that you’re the original owner. Not to mention the delays and loss of sales that it will cost your business. Below is a list of rights that will help you understand further the benefits of trademark registration.
1. The owner has the exclusive right to use and profit from the trademark
2. Authorized parties may be able to enjoy exclusive rights and profits of the trademark if they have been assigned or licensed by the owner
3. Enjoy laws that protect your brand from copycats
4. The owner has the right to obtain relief if the trademark is copied
5. The burden of proof will no longer be on the owner during an infringement claim
6. Laws also protect instances of infringement of goods registered under the trademark
Posted by Editor | Comments Off on What You Need to Know About Crohn’s Disease
What You Need to Know About Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease was not described until 1932 by Dr. Burrill Crohn, who classified it as one of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that affect the gastrointestinal tract. The description of Crohn’s disease can be confusing to some, because it overlaps the symptoms with ulcerative colitis, part of irritable bowel syndrome and not IBD, and affects only specific parts of the gut.
What Causes Crohn’s Disease?
Doctors aren’t clear about the cause of this disease. Some agree that it is an autoimmune illness, but it is known as a chronic disease with symptoms that range from mild to severe and can even change over time. Others point to genes, the use of NSAIDs, frequent consumption of high-fat food, and smoking as risk factors for developing Crohn’s disease. Given all these information, it’s not surprising that the treatment of the disease gets complicated, especially if the doctor is not familiar with the disease.
What are the Symptoms?
The severity and range of the symptoms will vary from person to person and could also flare up when certain types of food are consumed. The symptoms might also change depending on which part of the gastrointestinal tract is affected, that is why most patients are asked to gauge the intensity of the symptoms by themselves.
Symptoms may include the following:
1. Recurring diarrhea
2. Constipation (if you’re not having diarrhea)
3. Rectal bleeding
4. Abdominal cramps and pain
5. Changes in appetite
6. Changes in weight
7. Fatigue
8. Anemia
9. Fever, vomiting and/or nausea
10. Eye pain and redness
11. Joint pain
12. Changes in the skin
13. Mouth ulcers
It’s important to be frank about the symptoms you have observed when you’re consulting a specialist in Singapore, because the doctor will determine the best treatment plan based on the symptoms. Fever, weight loss, vomiting, and blockages or infections in the intestine are all signs of moderate to very severe Crohn’s disease that need immediate treatment.
What are the Treatments?
The treatment of Crohn’s disease will depend on the symptoms and the location of the inflammation in your gut. There are six types of Crohn’s disease based on the inflammation, such as; ileocolitis (affects the ilium and colon), ileitis (affects the small intestine), gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease (affects the stomach and duodenum), jejunoileitis (affects the jejunum), Crohn’s or granulomatous colitis (affects the colon), and Perianal Crohn’s (affects the anus).
The doctor will perform the following tests during the check-up: physical exam (check for bloating, pain or tenderness in the abdomen), upper GI series, intestinal endoscopy, CT scan, blood tests (to check for anemia and inflammation), and stool test.
You might be prescribed medications such as corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, and biologic therapies. Bowel rest, or limiting your food and drink, is also important, but some patients might need surgery to remove obstructions, fistulas, or if the symptoms don’t improve even with medication.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on How to Care for, Use, and Store Your Leather Bag
How to Care for, Use, and Store Your Leather Bag
History buffs might have heard of the 5,500-year-old leather shoe found by archaeologists in Armenia, and while it’s not a leather bag, it’s an incredible testament to the durability of leather. But even if it’s a tough material that can last for thousands of years, the environment in which the leather shoe was preserved had to be dry and cool to keep it intact.
The same conditions are also needed for leather bags that are sold today. Remember that it’s made from animal skin that is prone to cracking, drying, staining, and warping, so, you must care for it the right way.
Polish or Condition
Before cleaning, polishing, or conditioning your leather bag, you should know what type of material you’re dealing with. You can check with the store for the type of skin used; whether it’s vegetable-tanned, chrome-tanned, full-grain, top-grain, exotic, and patent leather.
Polishing means coating the leather with a protective finish to make it durable. But be careful when doing this because it can change the color of the material, so test the product first on an inconspicuous corner. The conditioner on the other hand, is like a moisturizer for the leather, to keep the material from drying, wrinkling, and flaking. Use only a product made for leather once a month, and with a dab of conditioner on a clean, soft cloth, rub on the surface in circular motions. Leave the conditioner by air-drying for 10 minutes, then wipe off the excess.
Waterproofing Leather
Generally, you should avoid taking your bag with you in bad weather, because even if there are products that will protect the leather from moisture, it can never be fully waterproofed. If it does get wet, just let it dry naturally and don’t use heating materials to avoid warping the leather.
Avoid freezing temperatures as well, because it can make the material brittle. You can use beeswax creams in non-dyed leather to protect it from water, or a spray protectant that is made for such a purpose. Remember to test the product first on an inconspicuous part of the bag.
Cleaning and Storage
Your hands should always be clean when handling the leather bag because they could absorb the oil from your skin. But since this isn’t possible all the time, you could clean the surface with slightly damp cotton cloth. You could also spray a leather cleaner on the cloth, then wipe it on the leather in circular motions. If you see any stains, these should be removed immediately using crushed white walk that is sat overnight and dusted off the next day.
Before storing your leather bag, use a leather conditioner to keep it soft (except on patent purses) then let it air-dry before wrapping it in a dust bag or fabric bag. For suede bags, clean only using a suede brush instead of a damp cloth. Don’t forget to air your leather bags once every two weeks to prevent mold growth.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on 3 ways to spice up your lunchbox
3 ways to spice up your lunchbox
What other great way to break everyday monotony than by looking forward to surprised conveniently located in your packed lunch? Not only are these affordable, it also ensures cleanliness in food preparation compared to usual takeout routine. Not only that, these lunchbox ideas are sure to entice health advocates and enthusiasts, since every packed-lunch has all the right nutrients in just the right amount.
Here are three lunchbox ideas for those anticipating delightful treats:
1. Crunchy Peanut Butter and Apple Wrap
This treat will surely tickle the child in you. Mostly popular with kids, this wrap is packed with goodness in just the right texture. For this you will need flour tortillas, a cup of peanut butter, chopped apple and a cup of low-fat granola. First off, prepare the tortilla. In each, spread a generous amount of peanut butter. Next, take your apple and granola and apply the same procedure, the amount depending on your liking. Roll up the tortillas tightly, then cut it in equal halves. Wrap with another layer, but this time using plastic wrap. These are ready to pack in insulated containers.
2. Asparagus and Greens with Farro
One way to keep healthy is to make sure you have an adequate amount of greens in your diet. For this lunchbox idea, you will need a cup of uncooked faro, a bunch of thin asparagus, a cup of whole almonds, lemon, kosher salt, olive oil, baby spinach, baby kale and baby mustard greens, black pepper and parmesan cheese. Boil three cups of water in a medium saucepan. Next, add faro and let it simmer in low fire until tender. Drain water afterwards. Next, arrange a steamer basket in a large skillet, with water below basket level. Boil then add asparagus. Steam until tender to a crisp. Place in a bowl together with the faro. Squeeze lemon while still warm. Add in flavors with your almonds, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add in greens and mix well. Place parmesan for a finish.
3. Burrito Bowls
Give your usual bowl a twist it deserves. For this one, you will need cauliflower florets, salt, canola oil, reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix, lean boneless pork loin or skinless boneless chicken breast halves, poblano pepper, frozen whole kernel corn, black beans, lime, avocado, romaine lettuce, Pico de Gallo, Mexican-style four cheese blend and lime wedges and fresh cilantro. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. After which, cover and pulse the cauliflower which is neatly placed in a food processor. You should achieve rice-size pieces in this process. Next, transfer cauliflower in a baking pan pined with foil. Add in oil, and salt and coat well. Spread cauliflower evenly. Until lightly charred, roast the cauliflower, uncovered. Ina separate bowl, add avocado and lime zest. Mix well. Prepare another mixture of oil, taco seasoning and lime juice. Prepare lettuce in a separate bowl with the cauliflower and pork mixture. Using a spoon, place the avocado mixture at the center. Place Pico de Gallo and cheese on top. Coat with lime juice mixture. Servings go well with either lime wedges or cilantro.
Posted by Editor | Comments Off on Ways to Avoid Worsening Pimple Outbreaks
Ways to Avoid Worsening Pimple Outbreaks
Not everyone is blessed with seemingly pore-less flawless skin. Most of us have to take extra measures to keep our best accessory spic and span, not only for aesthetic purposes but most importantly for our health as well.
Whether we like it or not, there are just some days when our skin decides share a pimple or two, with very convenient locations such as on our nose or right in the center of our cheek. And that’s only for the lucky ones. Those on the other end have it as bad as no-space-for-new-pimples level.
But whatever may be our category, we are no stranger to pimples. Here are ways to avoid pimples as they deserve to stay only during our puberty stages:
1. Don’t pop your pimples
As much as you’d like to terminate the agony and just get on with it, please get a hold of yourself. Not only is this unsanitary, it may cause irritation and may lead to even bigger problems such as infection. Your pimples are still part of your skin, and thus may cause scars if prematurely opened and forcibly lacerated.
It may also be a source of bleeding, which we are fully aware is never a good sign. A scar wouldn’t be such a good sight after your popping impulse. This also clogs surrounding pores, so not only did your problem get bigger, it got around as well.
2. Don’t touch your face
When in deep thought we always find ourselves holding onto our chins, scratching our nose or resting our cheek on our hands. By all means, you are entitled to touch your face but only if your hands are clean. Our hands are our most agile parts of the body and thus harbor microorganisms as we move about during our day.
So to make sure that you don’t get any of that grime to mix with your already oil-laden face, make it a habit to keep your hands clean and of course to refrain from touching your face often.
3. Don’t overuse makeup
As much as you’d like to cover up those blemishes, make sure not to overdo it. Your skin is also an organ and is basically needs breathing space too. Applying makeup to cover up pimples actually worsens your pimples by clogging pores.
In the long run, it even triggers outbreaks. As much as possible, keep your face makeup free or apply as minimal as possible. Should you really need to put on makeup, use those that are non-greasy and fragrance-free.
These are only a few tips to avoid worsening pimple breakouts. Above all these is that basic rule of always washing our faces. After all, complications can’t start in the first place if oil and dirt are washed off before they could even have the chance to sink in.