What is a trademark?

A trademark is a sign which distinguishes the goods and/or services of your company from those of another company.

A trademark could almost be anything, such as for example:

• Words
• Names (e.g. a product name, a company name or a personal name)
• Combinations of letters or digits
• Abbreviations
• Slogans
• Logos
• Symbols
• The shape of a product
• Packagings
• Sound

A trademark will allow you to stand out, and at the same time show the origin of a good or service.

Collective trademark

A collective trademark is used to demonstrate that a product or service has certain properties. Examples include a specific feature or quality.

An example of a collective trademark is the ‘cycle’ logo (image).

Requirements

To register a trademark, it must meet certain requirements. For instance, the trademark may not be too descriptive and/or misleading. Also, the trademark may not be contrary to public policy or morality.

If you wish to register a trademark, you may consult one of our lawyers. They will be happy to advise and assist you with your application for registration.