In terms of legal status, trademarks are a recent invention. Although trademarks had been in use for a very long time before the 19th century, trademark regulations only became a thing then. However, there wasn't much of a need for trademarks before the growth of print media, mass production, and other contemporary technologies. After these technologies became widely used, the earliest trademarks and trademark rules of the modern era were created.

Over time, there have been several changes made to trademark legislation. As the years have passed, trademarks have also evolved. Although many trademarks have already been dropped, a few ancient ones are still in use. You may be familiar with some while being unfamiliar with others.

Antiquity's trademarks

People have always created innovations or employed different indicators in commerce.

However, no legislation defended this type of intellectual property in the distant past. Because there were no Patent Offices, no one registered their trademarks.

However, it must also be clear that the signs used at the time served the same purposes as those used now. For instance, pottery in antiquity frequently contained markings identifying the manufacturer.

The Middle Ages and trademarks

Craft guilds utilized trademarks during the Middle Ages.

Craftsmen gathered in guilds were required to use a certain mark. The primary goal of the product marking was to link the product to its producer. This included details regarding the superior quality of the goods produced by the particular craftsman.

But as time went on, it became clear that one guy could not create the required number of goods. The provided plant's journeymen were given this assignment.

As a result, the trademark started to act as a master's assurance of the calibre of the marked items. Additionally, a harsh penalty was implied for any effort to fake such branding.

The ruling authorities at the time granted licenses to use specific trademarks. But it's reasonable to claim that they just did it for financial gain. The interested party paid the monarch a great price for the privilege granted here.

During the Industrial Revolution, trademarks

Western Europe saw rapid economic growth in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries because of the following:

• establishing economic freedom;
• the abolition of guilds, and
• cancellation of privileges.

The time's ongoing industrial revolution proved to be a breakthrough. Many of the breakthroughs made during that period significantly accelerated technological advancement.

As a result, production has gotten more affordable and more products have hit the market. In this circumstance, trademarks became more significant.

Including them made it possible to set the manufacturers' products apart from the rivals. The signage gave customers the ability to make thoughtful purchases.

Some companies started becoming more well-known, which prompted the competition to replicate them.

And under such expanding, occasionally dishonest competition, a law to safeguard business owners was needed.

As a result, several nations created their first laws outlining the procedures for trademark registration in the 19th century. On their foundation, national patent offices that maintained registers of protected trademarks were also established.

The seven oldest trademarks that are still in use today

1. The Underwood's Deviled Ham logo is said to be the oldest trademark registered in the United States of America that is still in use. The Underwood Company obtained the trademark for "Deviled Entremets", and the logo is still used today.
2. The earliest trademark in the United Kingdom is the Bass red triangle logo. It had been used since the 1600s when it was first registered in 1875.
3. Although Bass may be the oldest brand in the UK, a logo registered in Hong Kong, a British territory at the time, precedes it. The condensed milk label for Nestle Eagle Brand was first registered in 1874.
4. It is said that the German beer Weihenstephaner first appeared in the year 1040. Although registration came later, this may be the oldest brand in the world to still be in use.
5. Another German beer brand is Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel (such a mouthful, huh?). It is said to have been in use since the year 1050.
6. The Fisons Plc. The pine tree logo was the first registered in the land under (Australia). Like most of the oldest trademarks on our list, it was registered in 1905 and is still in use today.
7. In 1870, Averill Painted registered an eagle mark in the US. Although the brand is no longer in use, this is the oldest trademark in the United States.