We are pleased to announce our contribution in the legal issue European Intellectual Property Review, Thomson Reuters, where Deputy Managing Director and Partner Marios Sioufas wrote about “Trademark registration of sound marks- Registrability criteria”.

Sound marks are revolutionizing modern branding, but their registrability hinges on strict criteria. To qualify, a sound must be distinctive, acting as a unique brand identifier rather than a functional or generic element. Structure matters—jingles and melodies with recognizable patterns stand out, while simple or functional sounds, like a fizzing can (T-408/15), often fail the distinctiveness test. Case law shows that consumer perception is key—memorable, structured sounds (R 2821/2019-1) have a higher chance of success. Ultimately, a strong sound mark isn’t just heard—it’s remembered as a true symbol of your brand.

This material was first published by Thomson Reuters, trading as Sweet & Maxwell, 5 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AQ, in European Intellectual Property Review, Marios D. Sioufas, “Trademark registration of sound marks- Registrability criteria” (2025) 47 E.I.P.R. 150-155 and is reproduced by agreement with the publishers. For further details, please see the publishers’ website.