Back to Trademark basics

Should our logo be in black and white or in the actual colors we plan to print on the product?

Founder & Trademark Attorney

It depends on the jurisdiction. For example, in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, filing in black and white is recommended. A black-and-white registration covers the mark in all color variations of the same design, which gives you more freedom with the design in the future, as well as giving you broader coverage. A color filing restricts protection to the specific colors shown.

However, in the EU and UK, if the logo/branding color is an integral part of your brand, the standard recommendation is to file the version you most commonly use in commerce, since a color filing may better reflect what is being protected. Otherwise, a black-and-white filing is often the cleaner choice for similar reasons to the US approach.

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