How Can I Trade Mark a Logo I Designed on Canva?
Emily Young
If you are building your business and establishing your brand, consider what elements of your intellectual property (IP) you want to register as a trade mark. A trade mark is an excellent way to protect your brand from being used by competitors without your consent. For instance, a logo is one popular brand element to register as a trade mark, as a logo can serve as a visual identifier of a good or service source. This article will take you through whether you can register a trade mark for a logo you designed on Canva and the best way to design a logo for successful registration.
Using Canva to Design a Logo
Canva is a popular graphic design platform that is used to create:
- social media posts;
- presentations;
- documents; and
- other visual content.
Canva has free and paid subscriptions, making it an excellent tool for all businesses. In addition to its basic design tools, Canva has a range of templates for its customers to use. However, if you use Canva’s templates to design your logo, you must have several considerations regarding your ability to register your logo as a trademark.
It is important to note that anyone can use Canva’s templates. Although these templates are customisable, they are available for public use. As such, the logo is not exclusive to you and cannot be registered as a trade mark.
However, if you are not concerned about having exclusive rights to your logo, you may wish to use all of Canva’s features, including the stock content.
Creating Logos on Canva that You Can Register as a Trade Mark
Although most of Canva’s logos are templates, there are several ways that you can still use Canva while ensuring you can register your design as a trade mark. We outline two such ways below.
Design an Original Logo
Using Canva to design a logo from scratch is one way that you may register it as a trade mark. Canva is helpful because it allows you to design your image from scratch using basic lines, shapes and fonts. If you use these features to design your logo, you can register a trade mark for it.
Importantly, you should ensure you do not use the stock content, as Canva users use these in a non-exclusive licensing capacity. In addition, the use of stock content (such as provided photos and other graphics) cannot be registered as a trade mark per Canva’s licenses.
Upload Your Original Logo
Another way you can use Canva to create a logo you can register as a trade mark is to upload your own logo design into Canva. For example, you may have a rough sketch of a logo you designed or have commissioned an artist to make the logo for you. Regardless, you can upload this logo to Canva to create promotional materials, such as flyers or business cards.
Why Should I Register my Logo as a Trade Mark?
Logos can quickly become recognised as a brand icon and in some cases, are even more identifiable than the business’ name. Consumers associate brands with its logo, which creates a visual representation of their business. Registering your logo with IP Australia will ensure that you have exclusive rights to your trade mark’s use and commercialisation. Your rights to a trade mark are generally much stronger if it is registered.
Key Takeaways
If you use a logo which you designed on Canva, you must make many considerations regarding your ability to register your logo as a trademark. This includes understanding that:
- Canva’s logo templates and stock content are not available for trade mark registration; and
- if you want to register a trade mark for a logo made on Canva, you are limited to designing an original logo from scratch using basic design tools.
If you need assistance registering your trade mark, our experienced trade mark lawyers can help. Get in touch with them on 1300 657 423 or by filling out the form on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you use Canva’s templates to design your logo, there are some considerations you must have concerning your ability to register your logo as a trade mark. This includes noting that Canva’s logo templates and stock content are unavailable for trade mark registration. However, if you want to register a trade mark for a logo made on Canva, you can design an original logo from scratch using the basic design tools.
Registering your trade with IP Australia will ensure that you have exclusive rights to your trade mark’s use and commercialisation. A logo is an excellent option for a trade mark, as it can quickly become recognised as a brand icon.