Types of trade marks


Sometimes called a brand, your trade mark is your identity - the way you show your customers who you are. It might be your corporate logo, or your name, and it might be painted on the side of your truck, or on your signage, packaging or letterhead.

While many trade marks are words, logos or slogans, a trade mark can be a word, phrase, letter, number, sound, smell, shape, logo, picture, aspect of packaging or combination of these.

This section provides information about the different types of trade marks you can apply for. However, these are not as common as a general application.

  • Certification trade marks - show that a trader's goods or services are certified as meeting particular standards.
  • Series of trade marks - is made of two or more similar trade marks on the same application or registration.
  • Sound trade marks - protect a sound in relation to good or services.
  • Movement trade marks - protect a motion in relation to good or services.
  • Shape trade marks - protect an overall shape in relation to good or services.
  • Colour trade marks - protect a colour in relation to good or services.
  • Scent trade marks - protect a scent in relation to good or services.
  • Trade marks for wine - before choosing a trade mark or designing a label under which wine will be imported, exported or sold on the Australian market, you need to be aware of certain requirements and regulations.
  • Trade marks for plants - if you are registering a trade mark application relating to plants, there are some issues you need to be aware of.

Last Updated: 02/9/2011