Official trademarks for state bodies - Register a trademark for a semi-state body
State organizations also can seek to legally register a trademark for their goods or services.
They seek to register a trademark to protect the reputation and investment they intend to make in a name.
They also wish to prevent imitators, and to ensure their names cannot be used by others without their permission.
Furthermore, State organizations wish to ensure that by registering a trademark, they are in a position to prevent or minimise allegations of trademark infringement.
It is usually possible to register a trademark for a semi-state body, provided the trademark meets the requirements of the trademarks legislation.
There can be pitfalls with names
A new name, SOLAS, was recently proposed to replace the name for Ireland's state training authority, FÁS. However, a similar name is being used by others, and in particular by the Solas Centre in Waterford, by an Irish IT consultancy firm, as well as by a bar and restaurant in Dublin city.
In selecting names for organisations, one objective should be to avoid a likelihood of confusion. For a further example of similar names, visit our page why trademarks matter.
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Building reputation in trademarks
Trademarks can be used by organisations to build identity, convey a reputation, and to develop goodwill over time.
A consumer buys your reputation, honesty and integrity in a trademark.
Organisations seek to develop a trademark into something a consumer can trust.
Owning a registered trademark for a semi-state service can be core to safeguarding the name. Registered trademarks can be important for position and power in a sector or in relation to certain goods or services. Our customers use registered trademarks to obtain greater security, safety and strength for their logos, names and brands.
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T. McCullagh, Managing Director, Southside People
Trademarks for semi-state bodies
Providers of semi-state services often consider protecting the name of their goods or services. Names can become valuable over time. It is also possible to use the service name as part of the branding of other goods or services provided
Trademarks for semi-state branding
When dealing with commercialising a name, logo or brand, the provider of semi-state services may use the brand name on services involving the sector or segment of activity in which the semi-state organisation operates. Use of the brand name can become a badge of origin that customers come to recognise, such that they want to repeat the experience. Once the trademark is obtained, it can assist with negotiations with suppliers, manufacturers, and with customers in seeking better terms from the strength of a brand name. Some semi-state bodies will seek to register a trademark at as early a stage as possible, even before the goods/services are available on the market.
Trademarks can be a badge of origin
Certain semi-state bodies have successfully used their logos, and names to sell other services, branded under their trademarks. An Post, ESM, and Dublin Airport are just a few that have extended their branding not only on the service-front, but also to indicate to consumers that their stamp of sourcing or quality, or value for money can be recognized by customers.
One of the challenges with semi-state body names can be descriptiveness. Certain descriptive trademarks can be refused registration. We may be able to assist certain customers in dealing with this matter.
"A consumer buys your reputation, honesty and integrity in your trademark. A trademark is something a consumer can trust."
Source: TRADEMARK TIPS on Twitter. Think of semi-state entities with trademarks that provide services like Aer Lingus, Bord Gais, ESB, and Dublin Airport Authority. Consumers can appreciate the reputation in a trademark, so that they can repeat the experience.
More Battle trademark services
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Battle advises organizations, solicitors, and accountants' clients on a range of matters concerning trademarks. Click here to see more Battle trademark services for our range of other trademark services.