In 2026, experts of the Latvian Patent Office (LPO) continue to evaluate registered trademarks and nominate candidates for the Trademark of the Year 2026 award. Throughout the year, we will introduce the nominees in a quarterly series of publications.
Nomination: Trademark of the Year for the European Union
Category: Figurative Mark
A trademark designed to inspire people to come together and enjoy each other’s company – CHAR CHAMPS PREMIUM CHARCOAL
For 25 years, the family-owned company “Burtnieks – A” has been producing charcoal for various private-label brands. Wishing to build a closer relationship with consumers, the company has now created its own trademark, “CHAR CHAMPS PREMIUM CHARCOAL”, symbolising craftsmanship and the fighting spirit of a family business striving to be champions in its field.
“Our new trademark represents not only a premium-quality product, but also a particular lifestyle and values that encourage people to meet up and spend time together while grilling delicious meals. “Char Champs” is a product that allows people to enjoy carefree barbecuing moments with family and friends, confident in the flawless quality of the charcoal,” says company representative Inga Kušnere.
The company’s products are mainly exported to foreign markets, where the charcoal is highly valued by restaurants, cafés and retail chains.
Nomination: Trademark of the Year for Latvia
Category: Word Mark
Where Nature Meets Science and Innovation – BETULINK
The core business of the company “LATVIJAS FINIERIS” is the production of birch plywood products. However, birch is more than just a material for construction. The company has demonstrated that birch bark can be transformed into valuable pharmaceutical and cosmetic products through innovative and experimental methods.
The name “BETULINK” combines the Latin name for birch “Betula” with the English word “link”. The brand’s products, which include birch bark extract gels, possess outstanding antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The company takes pride in developing innovative birch bark extract products that have the potential to succeed in global markets while simultaneously promoting Latvia on the international stage.
“The BETULINK trademark embodies our conviction that the natural properties of birch can serve as the foundation for high-value innovations. The name symbolises the link between nature, science and the modern consumer’s desire to care for their health and appearance by using natural products,” says Tālivaldis Silenieks, Marketing and Communications Director at JSC “LATVIJAS FINIERIS”.
The LPO’s Intellectual Property Award “Trademark of the Year” is organised in two stages. First, each quarter, experienced Patent Office experts select four trademarks in the nomination “Trademark of the Year for Latvia” and four trademarks in the nomination “Trademark of the Year for the European Union”, which are then put forward for evaluation in the second stage.
The winners in both nominations of the “Trademark of the Year 2026” will be selected from among 16 trademarks registered with the LPO under the national procedure and 16 trademarks registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office.