Collective marks, responsibility marks and hallmarks
Collective marks
An entrepreneurs' association can obtain exclusive rights for its members to use a trademark or other mark for its products or services. This could for example be an association for painters, doctors or horse breeders.
Government bodies, foundations, companies, etc. which carry out controls on products or services can also register a collective mark. This also applies to bodies which establish standards for products and services. The mark can be used on products which the standards or controls apply to. This could for example be ecolabels, control labels, etc.
Collective marks follow the rules for trademarks, but specific provisions also apply for use of such a mark. Applications for collective marks must be submitted to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office via Altinn. You must pay an application fee before your application can be processed; see the Norwegian Industrial Property Office's price list.
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office – Collective Marks
Fees - Price List for Trademarks
The Trademark Act (in Norwegian only)
The Trademark Regulations (in Norwegian only)
Responsibility marks and hallmarks
Anyone who produces and/or sells products made from gold, silver or platinum stamped with a fineness (e.g. 'S925' for silver) must stamp the product with a hallmark. A sponsor's mark shows who is the producer or importer, and makes it possible to identify who made the product, e.g. a particular goldsmith. Applications for hallmarks must be submitted electronically to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office via Altinn. You must pay an application fee before your application can be processed; see the Norwegian Industrial Property Office's price list.
The stamping of a sponsor's mark in an EU/EEA country can mean that an importer or dealer does not need to apply for a Norwegian hallmark.
The Norwegian Industrial Property Office – Responsibility marks and hallmarks
The Precious Metals Act on responsibility marks (in Norwegian only)
Regulations on Precious Metals, etc. (in Norwegian only)
Regulations on the Registration of Responsibility Marks (in Norwegian only)
