What is a trade mark?

A trade mark protects any sign or symbol that allows your customers to tell you apart from your competitors. You can register a name, logo, slogan, domain name, shape, colour or sound.

A trade mark must be:

• distinctive for the goods and services you provide
  
  
• not deceptive, or contrary to law or morality.

If your trade mark meets these requirements, you may want to consider applying for a registered trade mark.

Your trade mark does not have to be registered but an unregistered mark will rely on the common law of passing off.

If you have a registered trade mark, you must renew it every 10 years to keep it in force.