You can use different types of trade marks to designate your goods or services. Before filing an application, you should consider which trademark best represents your business.
In Estonia, you can protect the following trade mark types:
- Word mark
Figurative mark
Shape mark
Position mark
Pattern mark
Colour mark
Sound mark
Motion mark
Multimedia mark
Hologram mark
Word mark
A word mark is a trade mark consisting exclusively of words, letters, numbers or other standard typographical characters, without any design elements or colours. A word mark can be, for example, a name, a colloquial language word or a combination of words, an artificial word or a slogan.
Examples
HELLUS (reg-no 39238)
ABB (reg-no 23793)
LIFE KISSES YOU (reg-no 49741)
(reg-no 49903)
(EUTM no 017912686)
Position mark
A position mark is a trade mark consisting of the specific way in which the mark is placed on the product. The mark shall be represented by submitting a reproduction which identifies the position of the mark and its size or proportion with respect to the goods. The image of the goods themselves, for which protection is not sought, is marked with a broken or dotted line.
Example
(EUTM no 017437261)
In this example, the subject-matter of the legal protection is not the shape of the shoe, but the way in which the particular shape is placed on the shoe.
(EUTM no 017699992)
(EUTM no 017421827)
Colour mark
A colour mark is a trade mark consisting of a single colour or a combination of colours without contours. The mark shall be represented by submitting a reproduction of the colour or a reproduction that shows the systematic arrangement of a combination of colours. The colours should be indicated by reference to a generally recognised colour code.
The purpose of the registration of a colour mark is to obtain the exclusive right to use a particular colour tone or combination of colours for designating a particular good or service. Before applying, it is important to know that according to the current practice of registration of both Estonian and EU trade marks, a colour mark consisting of a single colour can generally not be registered on the grounds that such a mark has no distinctive character. As a rule, a mark can be registered only if the applicant has used it in advance and can demonstrate that the consumer perceives the colour on his goods or services as a trade mark (the mark has acquired distinctiveness as a result of the use).
Examples
(EUTM no 016800054)
(reg-no 54027)
(EUTM no 017265356)
(EUTM no 005170113)
(EUTM no 017592031)
(EUTM no 008553133)
(EUTM no 017586521)
(EUTM no 017279704)
(EUTM no 017411315)
Hologram mark
A hologram mark is a trade mark consisting of elements with holographic characteristics. The mark shall be represented by submitting a video file or a graphic or photographic reproduction containing the views which are necessary to sufficiently identify the holographic effect in its entirety.
Examples
(EUTM no 017579491)
(EUTM no 017993401)
Other mark
An other mark is an exceptional trade mark type that may be used where the trade mark applied for does not fall within any of the types listed above. A reproduction must be submitted that complies with the requirements for representing a trade mark – it must allow the trade mark to be reproduced in the register in a clear, precise, self-contained, easily accessible, intelligible, durable and objective manner. A description may be added to the trade mark reproduction.
As an exception, a figurative mark consisting of or containing a white or transparent element, which is made visible by means of a background colour or outline that is not itself part of the trade mark, may be classified as other mark. For representing the mark, it is recommended to use a grey background colour or outline and to add a description explaining that the background colour or outline does not form part of the trade mark for which protection is sought.
Examples
EUTM nr 018208642 |
Description: The light grey colour is not part of the trade mark. This colour serves solely as background. |
EUTM nr 018571699 |
Description: Dots and text in transparent representation against white background with a transparent frame. The grey is not part of the mark and only serves the purpose of showing the transparent and white parts of the mark. |
EUTM nr 019080764 |
Description: A light-grey dotted border serves for the recognition of the letters displayed in white. The colour serves solely for the visualisation of the actual white lettering "OCHSNER". |
There are two special types of trade marks, designating particular common features
- Collective mark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of the members of the association, which is the proprietor of the mark, from those of other undertakings. Associations of manufacturers, producers, suppliers of services, or traders, as well as legal persons governed by public law, may apply for collective marks. An applicant shall submit regulations governing use which specify the persons authorised to use the mark, the conditions of membership of the association and the conditions of use of the mark.
- Certification mark is a sign capable of distinguishing goods or services which are certified by the proprietor of the mark. Any natural or legal person may apply for certification marks provided that such person does not carry on a business involving the supply of goods or services of the kind certified. An applicant shall submit regulations governing the use which specify the persons authorised to use the mark, the characteristics to be certified by the mark, how the certifying body is to test those characteristics and to supervise the use of the mark, also the conditions of use of the mark.
Last updated: 09.02.2026