What is the oldest registered trademark still in use?
Asked by: Jeremy Kunde | Last update: June 14, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (52 votes)
The oldest registered trademark still in use depends on the region, but globally, Longines' winged hourglass (Swiss, 1889) and the Bass red triangle (UK, 1875) are strong contenders, while in the U.S., the Samson Rope's Samson wrestling a lion (1884) is the oldest still active. These marks represent centuries-old branding, with some companies like Stella Artois claiming even earlier, continuous use (1366) for their horn logo.
What is the oldest trademark still in use?
Meet Samson: A Trademark with Staying Power
The honor of the oldest U.S. trademark still in continuous use belongs to a mark first registered in 1884.
What would Jesus do trademark?
Recently, Tyler Perry won the right to trademark “What Would Jesus Do.” There are a couple of points I'd like to make about this story. First, some of the media coverage has suggested Tyler Perry can now stop Christians from wearing the popular WWJD bracelets. This is not true.
What is the oldest unchanged active trademark?
The Longines Logo is the oldest registered trade mark still in use in its original form registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
What is stronger, TM or R?
Legal Protection: The ® symbol provides stronger legal protection than ™. It gives you the right to sue for trademark infringement if someone else tries to use your registered trademark without permission.
5 Reasons Your Trademark is a WASTE OF MONEY - Trademark Mistakes
What names cannot be trademarked?
What Words Cannot Be Trademarked?
- Generic Terms. (Example: “Coffee” for a coffee shop) ...
- Descriptive Terms Without Distinctiveness. (Example: “Best Miami Plumber”) ...
- Geographically Descriptive Names. (Example: “Orlando Roofing Services”) ...
- Surnames (Last Names) (Example: “Johnson Plumbing”) ...
- Common Phrases or Industry Terms.
Can I put TM on my logo without registering?
If you want to claim a mark as your own before it has been officially registered, you can use the trademark symbol if you sell goods, ™, or the service mark symbol if you sell services, SM. You can use these even if you have not filed an application to register your mark.
What was the world's first registered trademark?
Did you know that the world's oldest registered trademark is the iconic red triangle logo of Bass Pale Ale?
What are 7 types of logos?
In this guide, we'll introduce the 7 basic logo types, provide examples of each, and explore the best use cases for each type:
- Wordmark logos.
- Lettermark (or monogram) logos.
- Pictorial mark logos.
- Abstract logos.
- Emblem logos.
- Mascot logos.
- Combination logos.
Who owns the copyright to the name Jesus?
Back in 2007, an Italian clothing company, Jesus Jeans, registered the word “Jesus” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, giving it exclusive rights to the name.
What is the oldest continuously used logo in the world?
Twinings Tea
The company started up in London in 1706, but created its iconic logo in 1787. It's the oldest logo in the world that's had fully unceasing use. Keep in mind, 1787 was 2 years before George Washington was sworn in as America's first president.
What is the world's most valuable trademark?
According to Forbes, the world's most valuable trademark is that belonging to Google.
What is the oldest company still active today?
The oldest business in the world still operating is the Kongo Gumi, a Japanese construction company that was founded in the year 578. The oldest company in the United States is the Shirley Plantation, which was founded in 1638.
What is the oldest active trademark?
SAMSON – officially the oldest trademark
Formally, the oldest is now a trademark depicting the biblical Samson fighting with the lion. This mark was registered in 1884 and, like its Czech and British predecessor – it is still in force!
What is the most recognizable trademark in the world?
Most recognizable brands in the world
- Apple. Apple is the largest company in the world by market capitalization. ...
- Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has been a symbol of refreshment for over a century and is one of the most recognizable non-tech brands in the world. ...
- Amazon. ...
- Google. ...
- McDonald's. ...
- Nike. ...
- Samsung. ...
- Visa.
Can you buy old trademarks?
If the mark has been abandoned for three to five years, odds are, you're in the clear. That's the span that the USPTO requires trademarks to be maintained, meaning if the proper paperwork hasn't been filed, it's potentially up for grabs. The risk comes from the Lanham Act.
What is the rule 37 of trademarks?
Further, Rule 37 of Trade Marks Rules, 2017 states that an applicant for registration of a trademark may, whether before or after acceptance of his application but before the registration of the trademark, apply in Form TM-M accompanied by the prescribed fee for the correction of any error in or in connection with his ...
Can someone steal my logo if it's not trademarked?
If your logo is registered with the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), you have a strong legal foundation to stop others from using it. But even without registration, you may still have common law rights if you've been using the logo consistently in commerce.