When you think of trademarks, you might imagine logos, brand names, or catchy slogans that help products stand out in a crowded market. But did you know that the origins of trademark law are as humble as a loaf of bread? That’s right; trademark law, which today protects businesses, has roots in the everyday work of medieval bakers.

A Slice of History

Back in the 13th century, bread was a staple food, and its quality was of public importance. In England, laws were established to regulate the price and quality of bread. One such law, the Assize of Bread and Ale (Latin: Assisa panis et cervisiae), required bakers to mark their loaves with a unique symbol. This mark was not just decorative; it served as a way to hold bakers accountable. If a loaf was underweight or of poor quality, the mark made it easy to identify the responsible baker.

Marking bread was one of the earliest forms of what we now recognize as a trademark. It served as a guarantee to consumers that the product they were buying met certain standards, protecting them from fraud and ensuring they got what they paid for.

From Bread to Brands

As trade expanded over the centuries, the use of trademarks evolved. What began as a simple mark on a loaf of bread became a powerful tool for businesses to distinguish their products from those of their competitors. Trademarks allowed businesses to build and protect their reputations, ensuring that customers could easily identify and trust their products.

Today, trademark law continues to serve this dual purpose. It protects consumers by making sure they can trust the products they buy, and it protects businesses by preventing others from copying their brands. But at its heart, trademark law is still about ensuring quality and accountability; values that date back to those medieval bakers.

Bakers, Protect Your Brand

If you’re a baker or bakery owner, your brand is your bread and butter; literally. Whether it’s the name of your bakery, a special logo, or a unique product name, your brand helps customers recognize and trust your products. And just like those medieval bakers, you deserve to have your hard work protected.

That’s why we are offering a special service for bakers and bakery owners: we will help you register one class of trademark for free*. You will only need to cover the government filing fees; no professional fees from us. This offer is our way of giving back to the community that helped lay the foundation for trademark law as we know it.

Let’s make sure your brand is as strong and trusted as your baked products. Contact us today to get started on protecting your bakery’s trademark. After all, your brand is worth its weight in gold; or flour.