In modern branding, sound is often considered one of the most important tools for recognition and distinction. From startup sounds and sonic logos to jingles and app notifications, audio assets build recognition and create stronger connections with customers. Protecting sound marks is an important part of brand strategy, yet they remain among the most challenging trademark types to search, analyze and monitor across jurisdictions, making clearance and protection more complex than many organizations expect.
To help address this challenge, Clarivate has partnered with Audity, a specialist in sound trademark protection and audio similarity analysis. Through this collaboration, we are helping trademark professionals access tools and expertise needed to search, analyze and monitor sound marks more effectively.
“Brands are increasingly investing in sound as a distinctive asset, yet the tools available to protect those assets have not always kept pace. As the future of branding becomes increasingly multi-sensory, organizations need more sophisticated ways to search, analyze and monitor sound marks. Our collaboration with Audity addresses this challenge, giving trademark professionals greater confidence in protecting audio brand assets across global markets.”
Why sound marks are so difficult to search
Unlike word marks and logos, sound marks lack a comprehensive, searchable global database. Many trademark records contain only written descriptions or sheet music rather than playable audio files, making it difficult to identify potentially conflicting marks efficiently and consistently.
With brands rapidly expanding their use of audio across digital platforms, streaming services and mobile applications, corporate teams and the law firms that support them need to find practical ways to protect these assets as part of a broader brand protection strategy.
Specialized tools for sound mark protection
Audity has developed proprietary technology that converts registered sound marks into digital audio files and enables similarity analysis across jurisdictions. Through the partnership between Clarivate and Audity, trademark professionals can access several specialized services, supporting the entire lifecycle:
- Sound mark similarity check: combines proprietary algorithms with expert review to compare submitted sound files against trademark databases worldwide. The detailed reports delivered highlight similarity scores, potential conflicts and practical recommendations to support decision making.
- Sound mark analytics database: performs automated similarity checks across selected jurisdictions and Nice classes through a structured database designed for integration into legal and brand management workflows. API access is also available.
- Sound mark monitoring: ongoing monitoring helps organizations identify potential risks before they become problems. Audity provides surveillance of newly published sound marks and relevant unregistered sound logos, supported by bi-weekly updates.
- Global reach, comprehensive coverage: Audity’s coverage spans Europe, including EUIPO and national trademark offices, North and South America, Africa, including OAPI member states, Asia-Pacific and international registrations through WIPO. This broad reach helps organizations monitor and protect sound marks across key global markets.
A more complete approach to brand clearance
This partnership brings together complementary strengths. Through this collaboration, Clarivate customers gain access to specialized sound mark search, analytics and monitoring services, while Audity customers can benefit from Clarivate’s trademark search, watch and related solutions.
“Sound is becoming an increasingly important brand asset, but the tools to search, compare and protect it have been limited. By combining Clarivate’s global IP expertise and data with the Audity GmbH’s 20 years of experience in sonic branding and our Sound Mark Analytics technology, we are bringing together deep expertise in sound, technology and intellectual property. This creates a new level of transparency for sonic trademarks — and an important foundation for managing and protecting sound as professionally as any other brand asset.”
Together, Clarivate and Audity are helping organizations and law firms take a more complete approach to trademark protection. The collaboration supports in-house trademark teams as they protect increasingly valuable audio assets, while giving law firms additional tools and insight to better serve their clients.
Ready to strengthen your sound mark strategy?
Contact Clarivate today to learn how our collaboration with Audity can help you search, analyze and monitor sound marks with greater confidence across global markets.
