registered trade mark

A trade mark is a sign which uniquely distinguishes the goods and services of a business to all other businesses. Trade Marks are territorial, which means they have force and effect in the countries in which they are registered. Most countries allow for registration of signs, which grants monopoly rights in respect to the name, logo or combination thereof to the proprietor of the trade mark.

In the United Kingdom, trade marks are registered pursuant to the Trade Marks Act 1994 UK. Trade marks are personal property and as such may be assigned, licensed or used as security. Upon registration, the owner may grant licences in to use the mark, which may be exclusive or non-exclusive, limited by a defined geographical area or some other delineation.

See trade mark.

Usage: The registered trade mark was infringed by the rogue trader.

Related Words: sign; trade mark; Trade Marks Act 1994; common law trade mark; trade mark infringement; passing off; intellectual property rights; certification mark; collective mark; Madrid Protocol.