Trade mark
Trade marks can be traced back over 400 years to the reign of James 1. A trade mark is a type of intellectual property protection and can be a brand or product name, logo, word, illustration or slogan. It is usually used on, or in association with, goods and services to indicate that they are manufactured, selected, certified or offered for sale by the proprietor of the trade mark. Customers can see the origin of the trade-marked goods and may come to trust the owner of the trademark.
A trade mark allows its owner to distinguish themselves from competitors or others and, once registered, cannot be imitated. In the UK, trade marks are protected by law.
In order to protect a brand or logo etc, trade marks must be registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office at https://www.gov.uk/how-to-register-a-trade-mark.
Registration allows the holders to:
- Sell and license their brand.
- Put the ® symbol next to their brand to show it is theirs and warn others against using it.
- Take legal action against those who use the trademark without permission (including counterfeiters).
Trade marks are usually valid for a period of 10 years, after which they must be renewed to avoid expiry.
A trade mark must be unique and can include:
However, in the UK, a trade mark cannot:
- Be offensive, for example contain swear words or pornographic images.
- Describe the goods or services it will relate to, for example the word ‘cotton’ cannot be a trade mark for a cotton textile company.
- Be misleading, for example use the word ‘organic’ for goods that are not organic.
- Be a three-dimensional shape associated with the trade mark, for example use the shape of an egg for eggs.
- Be too common and non-distinctive, for example be a simple statement like ‘we lead the way’.
- Look too similar to state symbols like flags or hallmarks, based on World Intellectual Property Organization guidelines.
To register a trade mark, the first step is to find out whether it is already registered by someone else by searching the trade-mark database.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.