Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 October 2026
This chapter explores how Swedish Match, a global leader in the match industry, leveraged trade marks to build its empire. While patents are commonly associated with innovation, this chapter highlights the significance of trade marks in driving innovation and influencing business success. Through a historical analysis of Swedish Match’s trade mark portfolio – the Swedish Match collection – the chapter outlines how this book challenges the notion that patents are the gold standard when it comes to innovation. In particular, the Swedish Match collection and this book exemplifies a branding strategy that broke new ground through brand innovation, utilising trade marks for advertising, establishing a collective brand and embracing trade marks as an instrument of influence.
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