DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRADEMARK

Do you know that it is an offence to falsely indicate a trademark as being registered when it is not? But how do you know whether a trademark is registered? Well, you can do a trademark search at your local trademark office or sometimes you see the symbol "TM" or ® . Do you know what they mean though?

The symbol ® is used when the mark is already validly registered and active, whereas the symbol of TM denotes that the given mark is a trademark but not yet a registered trademark. As was mentioned in our previous blog post, trademark registration goes through numerous process such as application and opposition stage before it proceed to being registered. 

There are many types of trademark. Set out below are the different types of trademark:-

Trademark

Certification Mark

Well-known Trademark

Service Mark

Defensive Trademark

This is the most common category of trademark. It is a mark used to distinguish certain goods/ services from that of other traders.

A mark used to distinguish goods/ services that comply with a set of standards in respect of origin, material, quality, safety or other characteristics. It is usually given by a competent body/ authority. For example, HALAL certification.

A mark that is considered to be well known in the market and as a result benefit from stronger protection. For example, Apple for iPhones and iPads.

A mark used to distinguish certain services as those provided by other traders. For example, Astro services.

A well known registered trademark consist of invented word/ words. The registration enjoys protection for non-use on the goods/ services. For example, Kleenex, Sony.