Collective trade mark
A collective trade mark or collective mark is a trademark owned by an organisation (such as an association), whose members use them to identify themselves with a level of quality or accuracy, geographical origin, or other characteristics set by the organisation. Collective trade marks are exceptions to the underlying principle of trade marks in that most trade marks serve as “badges of origin” – they indicate the individual source of the goods or services. A collective trade mark, however, can be used by a variety of traders, rather than just one individual concern, provided that the trader belongs to the association. Collective trade marks differ from certification marks. The main difference is that collective trade marks may be used by particular members of the organisation which owns them, while certification marks may be used by anybody who complies with the standards defined by the owner of the particular certification mark.
