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nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Intellectual Property</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial Designs</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical Indications</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Training</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li><li> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops & Seminars</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP and ...</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"> <li><a 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<button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li> </ul> <div id="layout_container"><div> <div> <div class="dropdown nav__on-this-page"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">On this page: <strong class="caret"></strong></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu--on-this-page"> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#trademark">Trademark basics</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#topics">Topics and issues</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#laws">Laws and treaties</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#sct">Standing Committee</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#register">Registering and searching</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#services">Related services</a> </li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/index.html#related">Related links</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div></div> <div id="trademark" class="content"> <h1>Trademarks</h1> <div class="main"> <div> <div> <h2>What is a trademark?</h2> <p class="lead">A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks are protected by intellectual property rights.</p> <span></span> </div> <div> <h2></h2> <div class="accordion__heading"><a data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#accordion__collapse__02" class="accordion__toggle collapsed">How can I protect my trademark? </a></div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__body collapse" id="accordion__collapse__02"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>At the national/regional level, trademark protection can be obtained through registration, by filing an application for registration with the national/regional trademark office and paying the required fees. At the international level, you have two options: either you can file a trademark application with the trademark office of each country in which you are seeking protection, or you can use WIPO’s <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/">Madrid System.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__heading"><a data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#accordion__collapse__03" class="accordion__toggle collapsed">What rights does trademark registration provide?</a></div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__body collapse" id="accordion__collapse__03"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>In principle, a trademark registration will confer an exclusive right to the use of the registered trademark. This implies that the trademark can be exclusively used by its owner, or licensed to another party for use in return for payment. Registration provides legal certainty and reinforces the position of the right holder, for example, in case of litigation.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__heading"><a data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#accordion__collapse__04" class="accordion__toggle collapsed">How long does trademark protection last?</a></div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__body collapse" id="accordion__collapse__04"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>The term of trademark registration can vary, but is usually ten years. It can be renewed indefinitely on payment of additional fees. Trademark rights are private rights and protection is enforced through court orders.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion__heading"><a data-parent="#accordion" data-toggle="collapse" href="#accordion__collapse__05" class="accordion__toggle collapsed">What kinds of trademark can be registered? </a></div> <div class="accordion__group"> <div class="accordion__body collapse" id="accordion__collapse__05"> <div class="accordion__inner"> <p>A word or a combination of words, letters, and numerals can perfectly constitute a trademark. But trademarks may also consist of drawings, symbols, three-dimensional features such as the shape and packaging of goods, non-visible signs such as sounds or fragrances, or color shades used as distinguishing features – the possibilities are almost limitless.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="complementary"> <div> <div> <figure> <img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/shark_shield_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=2695">Read the case study about the SHARK SHIELD trademark</a>. (Photo: Shark Shield Pty Ltd.)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div></div> </div> <div id="topics" class="content line"> <h2>Trademark topics and issues</h2> <div> <div> <span><p>From a trip to the shopping mall to an hour in front of the TV, we encounter trademarks at every turn. They are an indispensable tool in today's business world. </p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="content"> <section class="cols cols--three"> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <figure> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/documents/tourism_ip_fulltext.html"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000019120714_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/jbk_photography)</figcaption> </figure> <h2><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/documents/tourism_ip_fulltext.html">Tourism</a></h2> <span><p>Trademarks, including service marks, are particularly important in the globalized tourism sector and are key to its further development.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <figure> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2006/03/article_0003.html"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000019152244_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/kaan tanman)</figcaption> </figure> <h2><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2006/03/article_0003.html">Marketing synergies</a></h2> <span><p>A successful marketing effort depends on trademark lawyers and marketers being on the same page.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <figure> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2006/06/article_0007.html"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000016548756_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/hjalmeida)</figcaption> </figure> <h2><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2006/06/article_0007.html">Similar/identical trademarks</a></h2> <span><p>Where similar/identical trademarks exist, coexistence agreements can be a mutually-beneficial solution to the problem.</p></span> </div> </div></div> </section></div> <div id="laws" class="content line"> <h2>Trademark law, treaties and documents</h2> <div> <div> <span><p>The treaties WIPO administers, together with national and regional laws, make up the international legal framework for trademarks.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div id="laws" class="content"> <section class="cols cols--two"> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3>Trademark-related treaties administered by WIPO</h3> <div class="cols cols--two"> <div class="col col--one"> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/paris/">Paris Convention</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid/">Madrid Agreement (Marks)</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid_protocol/">Madrid Protocol</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/classification/nice/">Nice Agreement</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/classification/vienna/">Vienna Agreement</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/singapore/">Singapore Treaty</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/tlt/">Trademark Law Treaty</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/nairobi/">Nairobi Treaty </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3>Joint recommendations</h3> <span><p>These Joint Recommendations respond to trends and developments in international trademark law:</p> <ul class="dot__list"> <li>Protection of Well-Known Marks <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/marks/833/pub833.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Joint Recommendation Concerning Provisions on the Protection of Well-Known Marks" border="0"/></a></li> <li>Trademark Licenses <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/marks/835/pub835.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Joint Recommendation Concerning Trademark Licenses" border="0"/></a></li> <li>Protection of Marks, and Other Industrial Property Rights in Signs, on the Internet <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/marks/845/pub845.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Joint Recommendation Concerning Provisions on the Protection of Marks, and Other Industrial Property Rights in Signs, on the Internet" border="0"/></a></li> </ul></span> </div> </div></div> </section></div> <div class="content"> <section class="cols cols--two"> <div class="col line"> <div> <div> <h3>Reference documents</h3> <span><ul class="dot__list"> <li>Trademark Law and Practice – Summary of replies to questionnaire <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/meetings/pdf/wipo_strad_inf_1_rev_1.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Summary of Replies to the Questionnaire on Trademark Law and Practice, Rev. 1" border="0"/></a></li> <li>Representation of Non-Traditional Marks & Areas of Convergence <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/meetings/pdf/wipo_strad_inf_3.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Representation of Non-Traditional Marks – Areas of Convergence" border="0"/></a></li> <li>Trademark Opposition Procedures – Areas of Convergence <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/meetings/pdf/wipo_strad_inf_4.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Trademark Opposition Procedures - Areas of Convergence" border="0"/></a></li> <li>Grounds for Refusal of all Types of Marks <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/meetings/pdf/wipo_strad_inf_5.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Grounds for Refusal of all Types of Marks" border="0"/></a></li> <li>Technical and Procedural Aspects Relating to the Registration of Certification and Collective Marks <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/meetings/pdf/wipo_strad_inf_6.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Technical and Procedural Aspects Relating to the Registration of Certification and Collective Marks" border="0"/></a></li> <li>The Protection of Country Names Against Registration and Use as Trademarks <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sct/en/meetings/pdf/wipo_strad_inf_7.pdf"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, The Protection of Country Names Against Registration and Use as Trademarks" border="0"/></a></li> </ul></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col line"> <div> <div> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">IP laws and treaties (WIPO Lex)</a></h3> <span><p>The WIPO Lex database is a comprehensive search tool that allows you to search international treaties and national laws on intellectual property.</p></span> </div> </div></div> </section></div> <div id="sct" class="content line"> <h2>Standing Committee (SCT)</h2> <div class="main"> <div> <div> <span><p>The <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/sct.html">Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT)</a> is the forum where WIPO's member states discuss policy and legal issues relating to the international development of trademark law and standards.</p></span> </div> <div> <h3 class="header"> Latest meetings </h3> <span></span> <div id="wipoEventwipoEvent1" data-id="groupEventwipoEvent1" data-number="1" data-xml="/meetings/en/includes/topic.xml?group_id=63"></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="complementary"> <div> <div> <figure> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180727065920im_/http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/8864926423_37fb873d66.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180727065920/http://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/tags/sct/" target="_blank">More SCT photos on Flickr</a>. (Photo: WIPO)</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div></div> </div> <div id="register" class="content line"> <h2>Registering trademarks</h2> <div class="main"> <div> <div> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/">The Madrid System — International trademark registration made easy</a></h3> <span><p>The Madrid system for the international registration of trademarks provides a single procedure for the registration of a mark in several territories. In a nutshell, you benefit from <strong>one application</strong>, in <strong>one language,</strong> paid in <strong>one currency</strong>.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="complementary"> <div> <div> <video tabindex="0" poster="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/posters/benefits_madrid_system_640.jpg" preload="none" controls="controls" controls="controls"> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/madrid/madrid_spot.ogg" type="video/ogg"> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/madrid/madrid_spot.webm" type="video/webm"> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/madrid/madrid_spot.mp4" type="video/mp4"> </video> <p class="secondary"></p> </div> </div></div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2>Searching trademarks and other signs</h2> <section class="cols cols--two"> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/global_ip/en/activities/branddb.html">Global Brand Database</a></h3> <span><p>Our Global Brand Database provides easy access to over 28 million records from multiple international and national sources, including marks registered through WIPO’s Madrid System. Use the database to search for trademarks, appellations of origin and official emblems.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/classifications/nice/en/">Nice Classification — Streamlining searches</a></h3> <span><p>The Nice Classification is an international system used to classify goods and services for the purposes of the registration of marks.</p></span> </div> </div></div> </section></div> <div id="services" class="content line"> <h2>Related services</h2> <section class="cols cols--three"> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <figure> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000014585256_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/Ina Peters)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/">The Lisbon System for geographically-unique products </a></h3> <span><p>From Champagne to Habanos cigars, the unique geographical characteristics of a product can be key for branding. The Lisbon System for the international registration of appellations of origin protects such products through a single registration.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <figure> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/article6ter/en/"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/iStock_000007133219_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/yesphoto)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/article6ter/en/">Article 6<em>ter</em> and state emblems</a></h3> <span><p>Article 6<em>ter</em> is used to protect armorial bearings, flags and other state emblems of the states party to the Paris Convention.</p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <figure> <a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/"><img src="/web/20180727065920im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/i_000009093793_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStock.com/zimmytws)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/">Alternative Dispute Resolution </a></h3> <span><p>The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center provides trademark owners with efficient international mechanisms to deal with disputes over Internet domain names corresponding to their trademark rights.</p></span> </div> </div></div> </section></div> <div id="related" class="content line"> <h2>Related links</h2> <section class="cols cols--three"> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3>Information resources on trademarks</h3> <span><ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/">Case studies</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic.jsp?group_id=12">Documents and meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/freepublications/en/">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/">Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/">Country information</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/library/en/">Library</a> </li> </ul></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3>Training</h3> <span><ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops and seminars</a></li> </ul> <p> </p></span> </div> </div></div> <div class="col"> <div> <div> <h3>About other types of IP</h3> <span><ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial designs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180727065920/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li> <li><a 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