Trade Mark Basics

A trade mark is a unique way of identifying a product or service. It’s also referred to as a ‘brand’ or ‘logo’.

A trade mark may consist of words, images, numbers, letters, personal names, slogans, the packaging of goods, or a combination of any of these.

They also serve as ‘indicators of origin’ by distinguishing the goods or services of your enterprise from that of your competition.

You can protect a trade mark by registering it with a national intellectual property office like CIIPO.

Keep in mind that trade mark rights are territorial. This means the exclusive rights you obtain from registering a mark only apply in the country in which you’ve registered the mark. You should therefore register your mark in all countries in which you plan to use your mark.