1. Origins of branding and trademarks

1. The origins of branding and trademarks

Brand is taken from the old norse brandr meaning "to burn". Branding started in Sweden in the middle age (476-1492). Branding got its name from the action of burning a symbol into the flesh of a Norse in order to signify ownership of the animal. 
In the trading industry, the law is, the term 'trademark' is used instead of the word 'branding' Patents and trademarks were legally recognised for the first time in 1474. The meaning of brand was then later registered in the dictionary in 1552, meaning 'Identifying mark made by a hot iron".  The word 'Brand' began to relate to trade between the mid 16th century and the beginnings of the 19th. A trademark was now a symbol that would differentiate manufactures and their products/goods. The oldest brands which are still running to this day developed in the 18th century and are from the alcoholic drinks category. Some examples of the oldest brands include 'Twining 1706', 'Schweppes 1798' and 'Ballantines 1809'






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