“Copycats outsmarted due to solid registrations”

What kind of company is Elho?

Patty: “Elho is a family business and founded by the parents of the current managing board. The company now has more than 51 years of experience in the development, production, marketing and sales of synthetic pottery. In 2008 we moved from Rosmalen to the beautiful building in Tilburg where we annually proudly present the entire new collection to customers and relations.”

How does Elho protect its products?

Maaike: “Bakker & Verkuijl registers our designs and product names. They check both national and abroad to see if a brand is still available. We are clearly advised about the potential of the brand. For example, if there are registrations already or if we can make the brand even more powerful by adding or omitting something, which could have a strengthening effect for a brand or logo.”

And how important is that protection?

Maaike: “My sales colleagues daily visit garden centers and hardware stores around the world. They often come across imitations of our products, which they then take with them tot he office. I myself travel to China twice a year to visit fairs and see what they offer there. I often stumble upon copies of our products that cannot compete with our versions. For this reason proper design protection is needed. Thanks to the registrations we can stop the copycats.”