Types of trademarks: what can be protected?

Protecting your trademark is an essential step in securing your commercial identity and intellectual property rights. But did you know that a trademark can take many different forms?

In this article, we explore the various types of trademarks and their role in an effective protection strategy.

Before filing a trademark, it is essential to choose a strong brand name.

What are the main types of trademarks?

When it comes to filing a trademark, it is important to understand the different existing categories. Here are the most common types:

Word marks

A word mark consists exclusively of textual elements: letters, numbers or words. It is one of the simplest and most widely used formats, ideal for company names, slogans or distinctive numbers. Examples:

• Name: Tradamarca
• Slogan: Just Do It!
• Numbers: 501 for Levi’s

Figurative marks

As the name suggests, a figurative mark is purely visual. It relies on symbols or images that identify the brand visually, most commonly logos. Examples:

• The Mercedes star
• Nike's Swoosh

Combined mark

A combined (or semi-figurative) mark includes both textual and graphic elements. This type of trademark is particularly valuable because it allows all elements of the brand to be protected under a single registration. Examples:

• The Lacoste crocodile alongside the brand name
• The distinctive graphic design and typography of FILA

Once you have chosen the type of trademark, you can go further by consulting our complete trademark registration guide.

Less common, but equally important trademark types

Beyond traditional categories, other forms of trademarks may also be relevant to your protection strategy:

• Sound marks: A jingle or melody associated with a brand.
• 3D marks: The shape of a product or its packaging.
• Olfactory marks: A distinctive scent (rare, but possible).
• Motion and hologram marks: Animations or distinctive visual effects.

Why is choosing the right type of trademark important?

Selecting the appropriate trademark type is crucial to ensuring effective protection. An unsuitable choice may limit the scope of your rights or complicate the registration process.

Working with intellectual property experts such as Tradamarca helps you develop a filing strategy tailored to your specific needs.

Additionnally, when registering a trademark, certain technical filing mistakes may lead to refusal.

How to file a trademark with Tradamarca?

1. Personalised analysis: We determine the trademark type that best matches your project.
2. Filing preparation: Our experts verify every detail to avoid technical errors.
3. Comprehensive support: We guide you through each step to ensure optimal protection of your trademark.

Selecting the correct classes under the Nice Classification is also essential.

Trust Tradamarca to protect your trademark

Protecting your trademark is a key step in building a strong and distinctive business identity.

At Tradamarca, we specialize in the registration and protection of trademarks in Switzerland and worldwide. Contact us today for an initial consultation and learn how we can help you secure your intellectual property rights.