Intellectual property rights: Trademarks, collective marks and geographical indications

A trademark embodies the reputation and image of a product and is the direct link between the company and its clients.  A client that is satisfied with a given product is likely to come back for more products bearing the same trademark. As a company, a trademark enables you to differentiate your goods and services from those of competitors. It is also an incentive to invest in developing a quality product.

Collective marks and geographical indications can be powerful legal instruments for groups of producers, business associations and cooperatives in any sector. They enable small businesses to benefit from the collective reputation of a product and from economies of scale. Collective marks are often used to promote products characteristic of a particular region. This document describes the importance of a right trademark, how to keep exclusive rights and how to register.

This document is an article out of a series on intellectual property rights published in the CBI News Bulletin in 2006. All articles are written by Esteban Burrone from WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation).

Relevant Market Sectors

Agricultural, fishery and forestry, Apparel, Automotive parts, Business Process Outsourcing, Consumer products, Cut flowers and foliage, Domestic Furniture, Electronic components, Engineering products, Engineering services, Fasteners and builders' hardware, Fishery products, Food ingredients, Footwear, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Hand and power tools, Home decoration, Home textiles, Household utensils, Industrial products, IT Outsourcing services, Jewellery, Leather goods, Medical devices and disposables, Metalworking Castings and Forgings, Natural ingredients for cosmetics, Natural ingredients for pharmaceuticals, Natural stone products, Office and school supplies, Organic food products, Paints and Coatings, Personal Protective Equipment, Pharmaceutical Products, Pipe and process equipment, Plants and young plant material, Preserved Fruit and Vegetables, Sanitary ware and ceramic tiles, Services, Sports and camping goods, Timber and timber products, Tourism, Toys and games, Wine