Different types of trade marks

The vast majority of goods and services are covered by 'ordinary' trade marks. These marks function to indicate the trade origin, in other words they link the owner of the mark to the goods or services, and the goods or services to the owner.

However, there are certain marks that do not have the same function as a ordinary trade mark. We call these Certification marks or Collective marks.

Certification marks

A certification mark is a specific type of mark. They provide a guarantee that the goods or services bearing the mark meet a certain defined standard or possess a particular characteristic.

The owner of the mark will define those standards or characteristics.

Such marks are usually registered in the name of trade associations, government departments, technical institutes or similar bodies.

Collective marks

A collective mark is a specific type of trade mark which indicates that the goods or services bearing the mark originate from members of a trade association, rather than just one trader.

Full details concerning these marks can be found in Chapter 4 of the Trade Mark Registry Work Manual for Certification marks and Collective trade marks (98Kb).