Beware of scam emails from ‘IPR Protection’:

From the chair of Trade Marks Law & Practice Committee (David Flynn https://www.frkelly.com/people/david-flynn):

It has come to our attention that a company named ‘IPR Protection’ (operating the website http://www.ipr-protection.com) is targeting Irish businesses with the below trade mark registration offer. Please note that this is a scam and should be ignored.

‘Dear Sir/Madam,

Yesterday we received an application for the trademark registration of (your brand). This application was not filed by you or your company, but by a third party, as we observed from the application forms.

During our screening, we noticed that you have a similar company name, but in a different sector.

Given the fact that your company was the first to be registered with the Companies Registration Office, you have the first option of registering this brand name.

If you would rather not have the other party use this brand name, please let us know. In that case, you can register the trademark for yourself.

If you want to register the trademark in Ireland, the costs are €599 excluding VAT. Your registration will be processed within 24 hours. A specification of the fees for a European or international registration is published on our website.

Please let me know within three business days whether you wish to make use of this offer. If you do not respond or are not interested, we will approve the other party's application, which means that they will obtain the trademark rights to (your brand).

Kind regards,

Jack Walsh
IPR Protection
www.ipr-protection.com’