Intellectual Property

Protected Emblems and Symbols

You cannot protect any marks as trademarks if they resemble marks that have protection under International agreements. One of these agreements is Article 6ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

The purpose of Article 6ter is to protect, and prevent the registration and use of, trademarks that are identical with, or very similar to,

  • armorial bearings
  • flags and other State emblems
  • official signs
  • hallmarks
  • other emblems
  • abbreviations and names of international inter-governmental organizations

For more information on Article 6ter External Link visit the World Intellectual Property Organisations (WIPO) web site.