Can you register the name of a country as a trademark?

There’s this country, and I don’t want to name it, because this is just a publicity stunt, but this week they made noises about “trademarking” their name. This country and it’s got a lengthy coast, so I’m just going to call it “Seaden,” had a website, visits[ea]den.com, issue a press release, advocating for the ability to register its name as a trademark. (The website describes itself as “the S[ea]dish government's marketing company with the task of marketing the whole of S[ea]den as a travel destination.”)

Despite some reports, there is apparently no application on file to register the country’s name as a trademark. Instead, there is only a “petition” at the website in question, asking visitors to support the effort to support “a less confusing world” where not just “any country or city in the world could use the name S[ea]den.” 

So can you register the name of a locality as a trademark? To the extent that no other place can use that name? Let’s just say that I doubt that Rome, New York; Athens, Georgia; Paris, Texas; or London, Ontario (to give but a few examples) are losing any sleep over this.

Someone from the Renner Otto team would be happy to discuss this topic or any related Intellectual Property matters. Contact us for a complimentary consultation to see how we can help your business move your innovation forward. The attorneys at Renner Otto strive to be authorities in all matters concerning the ever-evolving landscape of Intellectual Property; however, the information provided on our website is not intended to be legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship.