Trade Mark law protects the identity of goods and services, allowing distinctions to be made between different undertakings. Trade marks do not necessarily need to be registered with the Patent Office in order to be protected, although many MoD trade marks are. In the context of the MoD, "trade marks" include all badges, crests, heraldry, logos and other insignia used by the Armed Services and other MoD sections, together with their names, mottoes and the names of any services they provide.

These signs embody the reputation of the units they represent, and as such their use is very tightly controlled under trade mark law. Unauthorised reproduction is treated as a serious matter, as it can amount to the appropriation of an organisation's reputation.

If you wish to reproduce insignia purely for as an illustration for reference purposes, please contact the Directorate directly, at the address below.

Frequently, firms wish to produce merchandise bearing MoD insignia. This business is generally welcomed, provided that the goods and services are of acceptable quality and fulfils the role of promoting or reinforcing the Armed Service's profile. Charges for reproduction usually take the form of a royalty payment. Initial authority relating to the use of Service names and crests for merchandising purposes rests with the following contacts:

Once authorisation to reproduce the name or crest has been agreed-in-principle by the above section, please contact the Directorate, who are responsible for issuing formal licences setting out the terms and condition of use.

Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights, MOD Abbey Wood #2218, Bristol BS34 8JH

Tel: 0117 9132862. Fax: 0117 9132929. E-mail ipr-cu@dpa.mod.uk

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