A collective trademark refers to a sign registered in the name of a group, association or other organization and used exclusively by members of the organization in commercial activities to show the membership of users in the organization. In some countries, it is also possible for federations of some enterprises to register as representatives, and sometimes the government agencies leading these enterprises register on their behalf. The function of a collective trademark is to show users that the enterprises that use the trademark have the same characteristics. An enterprise that uses a collective trademark has the right to use other exclusive trademarks at the same time. China, the United States, most western countries with civil law systems, some countries in Eastern Europe and some developing countries all have provisions to give collective trademarks registration protection.

2. Steps to apply for a collective trademark

1. Inquire before application (non-necessary procedure)

2. Prepare application documents

3. Submit application documents in the acceptance window of the trademark registration hall

4. Type the receipt barcode in the coding window

5. Pay the trademark registration fee in the payment window

6. The trademark office will issue it in about three months.

3. What should be paid attention to when applying

1. The Notice of Acceptance only indicates that the application for trademark registration has been accepted by the Trademark Office, but it does not mean that the application has been approved.

2. If the application for collective trademark registration is rejected, the applicant may apply to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce for reexamination within 15 days from the date of receiving the notice of rejection.

3. If the application for collective trademark is challenged, if the applicant is not satisfied with the objection ruling of the Trademark Office, he may apply to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce for reexamination within 15 days from the date of receiving the objection ruling.

4. A collective trademark is still an unregistered trademark after the application is filed but before it is approved for registration, and it must still be used as an unregistered trademark. If the use of the trademark infringes on the exclusive right of others to use the trademark, it will not affect the investigation and punishment of the act by the relevant administrative authorities for industry and commerce.

5. The validity period of a registered trademark is 1 years, counting from the date of approval of registration.

6. If a registered trademark needs to be used continuously after its expiration, the trademark registrant shall go through the renewal procedures within 12 months before the expiration.

7. If the trademark registrant fails to handle it within this period, it may file a complaint within a grace period of 6 months after the expiration, but it shall pay a delay fee for accepting the renewal of registration.

8. If an application for renewal is not filed after the extension period expires, the Trademark Office will cancel the registered trademark, and if the original registrant wants to continue to own the exclusive right to use the trademark, he must re-apply for registration.