World Trademark Review reports that brand valuation firm Brand Finance has released its annual Global 500 report for 2015. The report ranks the 500 most valuable global brands, according to the firm’s assessments, and also the world’s 12 most powerful brands. Apple maintains its perch at the top of the list, with an estimated brand valuation of $128.3 billion, over 50% more than the next most valuable brand on the list, Samsung, which earned a mere $81.7 billion brand valuation. Rounding out the top ten are Google, Microsoft, Verizon, AT&T, Amazon, GE, China Mobile, and Walmart. The most powerful brand in the world is Lego, beating out PWC, Red Bull, Unilever, McKinsey & Co., Burberry, Rolex, L’Oréal, Coca-Cola, Ferrari, Nike, and Disney for the top spot—as the report explains, “Lego’s appeal spans generations; as well as the creative freedom it gives children, the brand appeals to the nostalgia of adults.” The competition is fierce, so take heed, brand owners—if you want your brand or business name to conquer the world, you’d better make sure that it’s properly protected as a trademark. Read the full article here, and the Global 500 report here.

By Marlith (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Reposted from World Trademark Review.