What are collective IP rights?

Collective IP rights are shared by groups of people, businesses, or organisations. They include:

• Collective trade marks
• Certification trade marks
• Geographical indications

Collective trade marks

Collective trade marks are commonly used by members of an association to indicate they are part of a collective. This differs from a standard trade mark which is used to distinguish the goods or services that originate from a single party.

Certification trade marks

Certification trade marks are a brand to show that the goods or services the trade mark is used on meet requirements set by the owner of the trade mark. Certification trade marks often show that the goods or services have certain qualities. A key difference from other trade marks is that for certification marks, the owner of the trade mark as the certifying authority, cannot trade in the goods or services that trade mark is used on.

Geographical indications

Geographical indications (GIs) are all about where something is made. They are a sign of authenticity and quality. GIs are used by producers of specific products to link their product to the reputation of the place the products are from. The most famous GI is Champagne – the sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region in France.

GIs are applied for by an association of producers, for example a wine producers association, and can be used by any producer of that product from that region. GIs can only be used for the products they’re registered for if the products are made in that place. When applying to register a GI the applicant will need to state what makes that type of product from that region different, such as a unique combination of climate and soil.