What is allowed to be registered as a trade mark?

• Trade marks must be distinctive for the type of business you run in order to be registered.
• A registered trade mark must allow consumers to be able to differentiate the products or services you provide from other businesses.
• Made up words are usually acceptable as trade marks. For example:

• Qantas;
• Bupa; or
• Panadol.

• Words involving recognizable names are acceptable if not already registered:

• David Jones;
• McDonalds; or
• Sarah Lee.

•          Regular words used in different ways can also be registered:

• Apple Computers;
• Gumtree Classifieds; or
• Mushroom Records.