A trade mark is commonly defined as a sign, for example a word or a logo, that functions as an indicator of commercial origin. So, if I am in the business of making cakes and biscuits, attaching my trade mark to boxes containing such products serves to inform consumers that they come from me.
Standing this essential function of trade marks, it is probably not surprising to learn that their history dates back several hundreds of centuries. Let’s find out more!
Trade marks from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Traders and merchants have marked their goods since the early days of agriculture and commerce, whether to indicate ownership (for example, earmarked cattle) or to guarantee quality. The latter was, for example, one of the main functions performed by guilds during the Middle Ages and throughout the 1700s. Still during the Middle Ages, the Vikings produced uniquely sharp and resistant swords, all carrying the ‘trade mark’ “Ulfberht” framed by two crosses.
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