This page explains the types of trade marks you can register in Jersey, how to choose a strong mark and the legal requirements for submitting your application.
A trade mark is a sign that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from another. It helps customers identify who is responsible for a product or service and supports informed and confident purchasing decisions.
Trade marks can include words, logos, shapes, colours, patterns, sounds, or other distinctive elements.
Registering a trade mark gives you stronger legal protection, including the exclusive right to use the mark for the goods and services listed, and the ability to prevent unauthorised use by others.
Why are trade marks important?
Trade marks protect your brand and support trust in the market. A registered trade mark can:
reduce the risk of confusion or imitation
support enforcement if your mark is misused
allow you to license or commercialise your brand
Types of trade marks
Word marks
Protect the textual elements of a trade mark, regardless of font, size or colour.
Figurative marks (logos)
Protect stylised words, designs, graphic elements or visual branding.
Combined marks
Protect marks containing both word and graphic elements.
Shape marks
Protect the distinctive 3D shape of a product or its packaging. You cannot register shapes or characteristics that:
result from the nature of the goods
are needed to obtain a technical result
give substantial value to the goods
Sound marks
Protect distinctive sounds, such as a jingle or spoken phrase. You must submit these in an approved audio format (.mp3 and .wav).
Motion marks
Protect animated or moving elements. Applicants can provide still frames or video files.
Colour marks
Protect specific colours or colour combinations that have acquiredare distinctiveness. Applications must include recognised colour references (for example Pantone®, HEX, RGB, CMYK).
Multimedia marks
Protect marks combining movement and sound, commonly used in digital branding.
Pattern marks
Protect repeating patterns used on goods or packaging. The pattern must be distinctive and consistent.
Hologram marks
Protect holographic images that change depending on angle or lighting.
Other types of trade marks
Collective marks
A collective mark is a type of trade mark used to show that the goods or services bearing the mark come from members of a particular association, rather than from a single business or trader.
Certification marks
A certification mark is a particular type of trade mark used to confirm that the goods or services bearing the mark meet defined standards or have specific characteristics.
Licensed marks
A registered trade mark used with permission from the owner under agreed terms, common in franchising and merchandising arrangements.
