• Trademark is a unique and visual sign that can be numbers, name, label, symbol or combination of these. Trademark helps you to stand out of crowd by distinguishing you from the rest. Trademark is an Intellectual Property Right; therefore it is safe from Infringement. 


It is important to have a Trademark as it helps you in various ways:

  •      It helps you to grow your business
  •      Enhances your market value
  •      Once registered, it is used for generations
  •      Indicates the quality of product


Types of trademark:

  • Word Mark: This is the most common type of Trademark. As the name indicates, this is the actual word written as text or letter or group of letters. It is also known as ‘Standard Character’ mark. When the name of the product is text based it is registered under Word Marks. Examples of Word Marks are – Microsoft, Coca-Cola and Nestle.
  • Product Mark: it is same as that of Trademark. The only difference is that it is related to products or goods but not services. It identifies the source and differentiates the owner’s product from others. 
  • Service Mark: Service Marks are actually used by the Companies or Business that provides services. For example – McDonald’s is a company that offers services. Same as that is with Amazon; it is also a Service Providing Company. Other examples are Google, FedEx and Wal-Mart and much more.
  • Logos and Symbols: The best way to understand this is the Logo of ‘Apple’. Logos don’t contain any word/number/letter. It consists of printed or painted design or character. Other examples of Logos are Twitter, CNN, and hp and so on. 
  • Shape of goods: As per Indian Trademarks Act, 1999, trademark also includes ‘Shape of Goods and their Packaging’. Also known as Shape Marks, they have their own significance as customers feel relatable to the product as well as it helps them to distinguish the specific product from others. Examples are – Fanta Bottle and Coca-Cola Bottle. 
  • Collective Marks: These are the marks collectively owned by the group of companies, institutions and associations. These trademarks can be used by the group of individuals to represent them as one part. The best known example of Collective Mark is CA. all the Charted Accountants use the Mark CA as they all are a part of the Institute of charted Accountants. 
  • Certification Mark:  These marks are generated when a quality, material and other details of a product are met with the specific quality standards. For example – FSSAI. This certification mark is often seen on the packaged food which indicates that the particular food has met all the standards and is safe to use. These kinds of marks are also seen on the toys, Cosmetics etc.