Authority clarifies trademarks on goods

TRADEMARKS typically identify individual enterprises as the origin of marked goods or services, according to the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
It said in its December newsletter that some countries, unlike PNG, provided for registration of collective and certification marks.
“These are used to indicate the affiliation of enterprises using the mark, or which refer to identifiable standards met by the products for which a mark is used. Collective marks usually belong to a group or association of enterprises,” IPA said.
“Their use is reserved to the members of the group or association. A collective mark therefore distinguishes the goods or services of members of the association from those of other undertakings.
“The function of the collective mark is to inform the public about certain particular features of the product for which the collective mark is used.
“An enterprise which uses the collective mark may, in addition, use its own trademark.
“Example: In an association of architects or engineers, a member may use the logo of the association as well as the logo of the enterprise.
“A certificate mark is a mark indicating the goods or services in connection with which it is used are certified by the proprietor of the mark in respect of the origin, mode of manufacture of goods, quality or other characteristics.”