Intellectual Property Office
Article 6ter of the Paris Convention is an international treaty to which the UK is a party. It protects armorial bearings, flags, official signs, hallmarks and other State emblems of the States party to the Convention. Armorial bearings, flags, emblems, abbreviations and names of international intergovernmental organisations are also protected, provided a party to the Convention is a member.
Signs under this Convention are protected against use or registration as trade marks by third parties, unless authorised by the relevant party to the Convention.
This document details howinterested parties can raise concerns regarding newly published signs.