A number of schools have received the below email from a company called IPR Protection.  It is a scam and should be ignored.  

Further information can be found here: https://www.aptma.ie/news-and-events/beware-of-scam-emails

It may be advisable to ask your IT department to block any emails from info@ ipr-protection.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

Yesterday we received an application for the trademark registration of <your school/company name>. 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, 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 the UK, the costs are £550.00 excluding VAT. Your registration will be processed within 24 hours. An European (£1249.00) or international registration (£1775.00) is also available.

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 school/company name>.

Kind regards,

Jack Walsh
IPR Protection
www.ipr-protection.com