‘Made in Britain’? National trade marks and merchandise marks*

Anglo-German economic rivalry in the fifty years or so before 1914 has received particular attention from business and economic historians. This chapter indicates the key difference between trade marks and merchandise marks. It presents the background to the legend ‘Made in Germany’, focusing particularly on the principles and operation of the Merchandise Marks Act, and the way this had acted as an advertisement for Germany. The chapter discusses the membership of the committees and analyses the commercial/industrial background of firms supporting the BETMA. It outlines the principles behind the proposals put forward by the BETMA and indicates the favourable changes in trade mark legislation which occurred during its campaign. The chapter discusses the opposition to the British Empire trade mark. It focuses upon opposition from owners of private trade marks, and examines the more general problems underlying the scheme.