Toblerone, the Swiss chocolate that has become a classic worldwide, is known for its unique triangular shape. Let’s delve into the sweet side of the brand’s history and see how intellectual property determines the success of a brand.
The birth of Toblerone
In 1908, Theodor Tobler, in collaboration with his cousin Emil Baumann, developed a new chocolate concept in Bern, Switzerland. They created the chocolate bar by combining Swiss milk chocolate with nougat, almonds and honey. As a result, this delight quickly became popular among many sweet lovers. So, how did the name of this creation come about? Toblerone, made up of the surname Tobler and ‘torrone’, the Italian word for nougat. However, it is not only the unique ingredients and shape that make Toblerone special, but also the clever branding.
The importance of the trademark and the protection of intellectual property
The Toblerone tile is known for its interlocking triangular prisms. After all, this distinctive shape, protected as a trademark, has helped Toblerone to stand out in the sweets market. Trademark protection was critical to ensure that no other chocolate manufacturer could copy the distinctive triangular prism shape. Basically, this shape allowed Toblerone to stand out on shelves around the world and contributed significantly to its global recognition and success.
The hidden bear and the Swiss Alps: the importance of Toblerone’s trademark symbols
Another interesting aspect of Toblerone’s history is the hidden bear logo. If you look closely at the mountain depicted on the packaging, you will see a bear standing on its hind legs. This symbolizes the city of Bern, also known as the ‘city of bears’, where Toblerone originated. We can see the importance of intellectual property: symbols and design are an integral part of a brand, giving it distinctiveness and contributing to its recognition.
The role of intellectual property in the longevity of a brand
Toblerone has also become a popular sweet gift, especially during the holidays. Its unique shape and packaging make it easily recognizable and the high quality of the chocolate continues to maintain the brand’s high reputation. It can be said that this is a victory for intellectual property: the protection of the trademark has allowed Toblerone to maintain its exclusivity over the decades, contributing to its long-term success.
The Toblerone story is an example of the synergy between innovation and tradition. A business that started in a small Swiss town and grew into a global chocolate icon. This story is testimony to the importance of intellectual property protection as a significant moment in every branding and business development process: from the initial design stages to ensuring the longevity of the brand.
As a reminder, a well-developed and well-known brand gives a product quality and prestige. Consumers perceive such a product as more valuable and are therefore willing to pay more for it. Therefore, the more valuable the brand, the higher the price of the product. For more information on trademark registration services, please visit the Trademarks page. Alternatively, you can always fill in the quick trademark registration form.