How to Monitor and Enforce Your Trademark Without Paying a Lawyer

Why Trademark Monitoring Matters

Congratulations, you’ve registered your trademark! 🎉

But here’s the part most entrepreneurs don’t realise: Your trademark is only as powerful as your ability to monitor and enforce it.

A registered trademark gives you the legal right to stop copycats, but no government agency actively polices infringements for you.

If someone else starts using your name or logo tomorrow, it’s up to you to catch it, and act fast, before your rights weaken.

The good news? You don’t need to pay a lawyer $500/hour to keep watch. Here’s how to monitor and enforce your trademark on your own.

1️⃣ Set Up Google Alerts for Your Brand

Google Alerts is a free tool that emails you whenever your name (or logo text) appears online.

Here’s how to do it:

Go to Google Alerts.
Type in your exact business name, course name, or tagline.
Use quotation marks for exact matches: "My Business Name"
Add variations or common misspellings.
Set to receive alerts as they happen or daily.

Pro Tip:

Create separate alerts for your product names, slogans, and even your Instagram handle.

This is your first line of defense against copycats.

2️⃣ Check IP Australia’s Database Regularly

Even after your trademark is registered, new applications can appear that are confusingly similar to yours.

What to do:

Visit the IP Australia Search Tool.
Search for your trademark and variations every 4–6 weeks.
Look for marks that could confuse your customers.

If you find a risky application, you can file an opposition, or better yet, get guidance via our Legally Legit Lounge® on your next move.

3️⃣ Use Watch Notices or DIY Tracking

Professional IP firms use paid “watch services” to scan new filings and alert you to conflicts.

Here’s a free or low-cost alternative:

Check IP Australia’s Trade Mark Journal (updated weekly).
Keep a spreadsheet of new marks you’re watching.
Act fast if you see anything too close for comfort.

4️⃣ Take Swift Action Against Infringers

If you spot a copycat:

Document their use (screenshots, links, dates).
Stop and breathe, most cases can be resolved without a lawsuit.
Use a Cease & Desist Letter as your first step.

If you’ve joined our Tricks of the Trademark® course during our live launch, you’ll get our lawyer-drafted template to handle this like a pro, without paying a lawyer to write it for you.

5️⃣ Bonus: Let AI Do the Heavy Lifting with Marki™

We created Marki™, our AI-powered trademark assistant, to give founders a safety net.

Marki™ can:

✅ Remind you of key monitoring steps

✅ Answer “Is this infringement?” type questions

✅ Save you from panicked Googling at 1am

You get 1 month of free access inside Tricks of the Trademark®, our step-by-step course that helps you file, monitor, and enforce your trademark without the $2K lawyer bill.

Monitoring and enforcing your trademark doesn’t have to be scary or expensive. With the right tools (Google Alerts, IP searches, Marki™) and a clear process, you can:

Catch copycats early
Maintain your legal rights
Grow your business with confidence

💼 Want the complete shortcut? Check out Tricks of the Trademark® for:

Step-by-step filing
1 month of Marki™ access
1 month in The Legally Legit Lounge® for unlimited Q&A
Lawyer-built templates to enforce your brand

👉 Secure your brand the smart way.

***Disclaimer. Please read!!***

This article is for general information purposes only and should be used solely as general guidance. It does not and is not intended to represent legal advice or other professional advice.