The Beginning of Trademark History
Since before there was a term for it, humans have been trademarking things. Although it is practically hard to say when the first trademark was created, we now have access to evidence that reveals one of the earliest known cases goes back to 5000 BC courtesy to Google (which is also registered).
People in China were producing ceramics with the name of the Chinese emperor in power at the time. This item also included the date and place of its creation, as well as the name of the creator.
Let us now travel to a new continent. Egyptians put their distinctive fingerprints on almost everything they manufactured thousands of years ago, including clothing, stonework, tiles, silverware, gravestones, and so on. However, these old trademarks were not legally recognized. They were generally employed as a means of claiming ownership of any production.
Do you recognize the term hieroglyph? If you have, you are aware that hieroglyphs were used in ancient Egypt’s writing system. These characters were employed to express a concept, as well as to identify something that had been made by someone. The Egyptians, however, were not the only ones who did so.
Early trademarks have also been discovered on Roman artifacts. Many years ago, the Romans were enamored with trademarking and began using it on products like crockery. Even the foundations of ancient Rome had their names written on them!
The first contemporary trademark rules, however, did not appear until the late nineteenth century. Regulations and norms have continued to evolve since then, up to the present day.
Trademarks are now official!
Let’s find out when trademarks were formally legalized now that we’ve learned about their history and how they were brought into our globe.
In the year 1266, the English Parliament approved the first trademark legislation. This occurred during King Henry III’s reign. This rule, known as the Bakers Marking Law, mandated every baker to stamp his loaves with a unique mark.
Silversmiths were compelled to mark their works after this, printer’s marks were added to books to identify the printer, and emblems were used to decorate palaces, noblemen’s castles, inns, and taverns, and were widely used in trade, and so on. All of this was taking place in the United Kingdom.
Following a petition by Samuel Breck, a sailcloth maker in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1791, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson encouraged Congress to allow trademark registration. The suggestion, however, was not carried out. The first U.S. Federal Trademark Act was not established until 1870, and Averill Paints was the first company to register a trademark under the Act.
Following that, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the rest of the globe approved their own trademark legislation in 1874, 1875, and 1884, respectively. Applicants can seek trademark protection in up to 107 countries as of today.
The Oldest Registered Names and Logos in Trademark History
Let’s take a look at some of the world’s earliest registered trademarks.
- Czechia: The Czech beer brand PILSNER, which dates from 1859, is the world’s oldest registered trademark. It has lasted more than 160 years and is still operational. Every ten years, it has been successfully renewed!
- United Kingdom: The Bass business was the first to file a trademark, which was used to identify beer. The trademark registration legislation was enacted in the United Kingdom in 1875, and it comes with a fascinating backstory.
When applications for trademark registration started on January 1, 1876, it is alleged that a Bass employee was assigned to wait outside the trademark office overnight the day before in order to be the first in line to submit for a trademark the next morning. Of course, he fulfilled his mission, and this trademark, like the Czech trademark, is still in use today.
United States of America: The following are some of the oldest registered trademarks:
Coca-Cola (1893). This one is well-known. This tonic beverage trademark was first registered on January 31, 1893, and has been successfully renewed every year since!
Heinz (1897): You’re undoubtedly familiar with this name. On December 28, 1897, the trademark Heinz was registered. It has been successfully renewed until this day, much as the Coca-Cola trademark.
As you can see, it’s rather intriguing that trademark protection, if renewed in a timely and effective manner, may potentially be forever.
Trademarks Nowadays
Before trademarks were formally allowed, individuals considered adding a name, a symbol, or an image to a product that they created themselves. They already felt like they were in charge. So we know it existed before a group of individuals decided it needed to be made a law.
This is why individuals began placing symbols, pictures, and inscriptions on their items to ensure that everyone knew they held the trademark. However, the regulations were not the same back then as they are now. Over time, these marks developed into the trademark registration and protection system that exists today.
In terms of trademarks, we now know that each nation has its own set of rules and authority. For example, certain nations, such as the United States, allow applicants to submit trademarks in black and white, while others do not. Alternatively, some nations are more lenient when it comes to trademark similarities, and others are highly stringent.
It is clear that trademarks are not new, and that symbols, “hieroglyphs,” or visuals connected with certain persons or organizations have existed throughout history.
Conclusion
Finally, even if you aren’t aware of it, everyone comes into contact with trademarks on a regular basis. Everything we buy is the result of someone’s toil and sweat. It is critical to appreciate this, as well as the relevance of trademarks in assisting company owners in growing their businesses.
Keep in mind that if you have created a product or service and want to trademark a name for it, you must first check to see whether the name has already been registered or if there are any similar names. Failure to investigate a trademark before registering for it can result in an objection from the trademark office in the nation you want to register it in, or, in the worst-case scenario, trademark infringement and a stop and desist letter from another trademark owner.
This is why a trademark search is recommended. Spending the time and money upfront to see if a trademark is accessible will help you avoid the high expenses of a trademark dispute or lawsuit. Finally, keep in mind that the more unique your trademark is, the easier it will be to defend it. Please contact us right away if you have any issues with trademarks.