What is the world's oldest trademark?

Asked by: Dr. Bria Gutmann PhD  |  Last update: May 4, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (33 votes)

The world's oldest registered trademark is the Bass Brewery's red triangle, registered in the UK in 1876 under the first Trade Mark Registration Act, though it was in use earlier and famously appeared in art by Manet. While other historical marks exist (like ancient pottery seals or medieval guild signs), Bass holds the title for the first officially registered one in modern law, with claims for Stella Artois (1366) and Lowenbrau (1383) for continuous use predating formal registration.

What was the first thing ever trademarked?

In America, the first brand to register a trademark under the US Federal Trademark Act of 1870 was the Averill Chemical Paint Company. Averill registered a logo — an eagle with a ribbon — along with the words "Economical, Brilliant." Sadly, Averill's trademark did not help it stay in business or anything.

What is the oldest unchanged trademark?

British tea company Twinings has the world's oldest unaltered logo that has been in continuous use with no alterations made to the logo's design. It was created for the tea company more than two centuries ago, in 1787.

What is the world's most valuable trademark?

According to Forbes, the world's most valuable trademark is that belonging to Google.

What was the first logo to be trademarked?

According to the USPTO, the honor of the very first registered trademark goes to the Averill Ready-Mix Paint logo. At the time, this was groundbreaking. D.R. Averill had created and patented the first ready-mix paint for home use in 1867.

Top 5 Oldest Logos in the World | Viral Feed

23 related questions found

What cannot be trademarked?

The following things cannot be registered as trademarks: Deceptive Words, Names, Phrases, Slogans (they are misleading) Merely Descriptive Words (e.g., Best ice cream, Red car) Merely Decorative Features (they don't identify source)

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 most famous trademark?

Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is one of the most famous trademarks in the world. The company was founded in 1886, and its distinctive red and white logo has been used since 1887. The company sells over 1 billion bottles of Coca-Cola a day, and the brand is worth an estimated $74 billion.

What word did Kim Kardashian try to trademark?

If you think of a word as a visual symbol of the brand, you can see why Kardashian applied for a trademark over the word “kimono” as styled in a particular font.

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.

What logo has never changed?

Oldest Logos Stella's logo has remained unchanged for over 600 years, and Twinnings's has remained unchanged for more than 200 years.

What is the most famous logo ever?

Here is a list of the top 101 most famous logos of all time:

  • Pepsi. ...
  • Apple. ...
  • Starbucks. ...
  • McDonald's. ...
  • Microsoft. ...
  • Nike. ...
  • Google. Google is likely to become the most famous and recognisable logo over the next decade. ...
  • 10 best fonts for modern logo design in 2023. How to make your brand stand out?

What is the oldest brand ever?

Very generally speaking, the oldest company in the world is usually recognized as Kongo Gumi, the Japanese construction company that was founded in 578 AD. It operated operated continuously for over 1,400 years until it was absorbed by another firm in 2006.

What was the first logo ever?

The first logo to be trademarked was the Bass red triangle in 1876. The Arts and Crafts Movement of late-19th century, partially in response to the excesses of Victorian typography, aimed to restore an honest sense of craftsmanship to the mass-produced goods of the era.

Is Taylor Swift's name trademarked?

Yes, Taylor Swift has a massive trademark portfolio protecting her name, albums (like Midnights, 1989), iconic lyrics ("This Sick Beat," "The Old Taylor Can't Come to the Phone Right Now"), tour names, and even her cats (Meredith, Olivia, Benjamin) and fan terms ("Swifties," "Swiftmas") for various products and services. Her proactive strategy covers a wide range of merchandise and commercial uses to maintain brand control.
 

Is Coca-Cola patented?

No, Coca-Cola's secret formula is not patented; instead, the company protects it as a closely guarded trade secret, a strategy chosen to keep the recipe confidential indefinitely, unlike a patent which requires public disclosure and expires after a set term. While the formula is a trade secret, Coca-Cola does hold numerous patents for other aspects, like beverage dispensers and the iconic bottle design.
 

What words 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.

Who is richer, Kim or Kylie?

Kim Kardashian is significantly richer than Kylie Jenner, with Kim's net worth estimated around $1.9 billion thanks to her SKIMS brand, compared to Kylie's roughly $670-$710 million from Kylie Cosmetics and other ventures, making Kim the wealthiest of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings as of early 2026.
 

Can you trademark a baby name?

Because personal names fall into a trademark category known as “descriptive” marks, you usually can't register your name as a trademark unless you can also show that it has “secondary meaning,” which is usually acquired through advertising or long use.

Is Coca-Cola a trade mark?

Yes, "Coke" and "Coca-Cola" are heavily trademarked by The Coca-Cola Company, covering the name, logos, script, bottle shape (trade dress), and advertising, all to distinguish their products from competitors and protect their brand identity. They own registrations for numerous variations like "Coke," "Coca-Cola," and "Diet Coke".
 

What is the most expensive trademark?

Here are the companies with the most valuable trademarks:

  • Google is the most popular search engine, and its trademark is worth $44.3 billion. ...
  • Microsoft has a trademark value of $42.8 billion and a market cap of $204 billion. ...
  • Walmart has a trademark value of $36.2 billion and a market capitalization of $184 billion.

How long does a trademark last?

Trademarks do not have expiration dates.

A federal trademark lasts 10 years from the date of registration, with a potentially unlimited number of 10-year renewal terms. So, every 10 years, the owner of a federal trademark registration must renew it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

What names can't be trademarked?

Names that can't be trademarked are typically generic terms (like "Coffee" for coffee), merely descriptive terms (like "Best Tasting" for food) without proven consumer recognition, common surnames, geographically descriptive names, and marks that are deceptive, offensive, scandalous, or confusingly similar to existing marks, as well as official insignia or symbols. These are generally barred because they aren't unique enough to identify a single source or would hinder public use and fair competition. 

What does WWJD mean backwards?

It should be, rather asked by, saying, "what did Jesus do (WDJD)?" To ask, WWJD is an insult and quite frankly disrespectful and blasphemous because it means you are, insinuating that Jesus Christ didn't take EVERTHING to the Cross and fulfilled ALL when He proclaimed, "it is finished" (John 19:28-30).

What is Matthew 21-43 saying?

Matthew 21:43 means Jesus prophesied the Kingdom of God would be taken from Israel's religious leaders for rejecting Him and given to a "nation" that produces its fruit (righteousness), often interpreted as the Church (believers from all nations) or a future, faithful Israel. It concludes the Parable of the Tenants, showing God shifting His focus from those who abuse His messengers (the leaders) to a new people who will obey and bear spiritual fruit.