DigiCert Launches Common Mark Certificate: A Game-Changer for Email Security
21 October, 2024
Have you ever faced trademark troubles while processing a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)?
Or if you’re a newcomer in email security and have a desire to show your business logo in the recipient’s mailbox, then this is the right place.
A game-changer has recently been rolled out by DigiCert – the Common Mark Certificate (CMC)!
The Common Mark Certificate (CMC) is an entirely new type of certificate that will help organizations secure and build value in their email communications.
Gmail was the first to embrace this innovation, which was known as the Common Mark Certificate (CMC).
You wonder what the difference is between a Common Mark Certificate (CMC) and a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC). What are some benefits of using a Common Mark Certificate (CMC)?
Let’s explore without wasting time.
What is a Common Mark Certificate?
A Common Mark Certificate is another BIMI abbreviation, which is known as Brand Indicators for Message Identification. This allows one to authenticate the identity of a company involved in email conversation. The above name itself indicates that it would help businesses to display their common logo besides the emails received in the inbox of the recipient. This, in itself, imparts confidence and legitimacy about the brand within users one go.
The organizations, through CMC, enhance their brand visibility as well as email security because their chances of phishing are reduced. Unlike a Verified Mark Certificate, which requires a trademark to be registered, the CMC does not verify the trademark but verifies the authenticity of the brand.
In brief, CMC fills in the gap that may be confronted by businesses, especially small-sized ones or those with an untrademarked logo.
Understanding the Logo Requirements for a Common Mark Certificate (CMC)
Understanding the logo criteria is critical when using DigiCert’s Common Mark Certificate (CMC) to protect your brand. The CMC offers two logo options: Prior Use Mark and Modified Registered Trademark.
1. Prior Use Mark (Common Law Mark)
The Prior Use Mark can be described as an unregistered trademark that is represented more than often by the initials “TM” or “SM.” This is a good choice for businesses that haven’t registered their logo and have used it to acquire trademark rights for the logo.
Requirements:
- The logo must have been in use for at least 12 months before the same is confirmed.
- It must be connected to a domain that you own.
Note: DigiCert verifies logo usage through Archive.org.
2. Modified Registered Trademark
The Altered Registered Trademark is the one with a minimalist change in the logo but still has the brand attached to its registered trademark.
These adaptable logo alternatives allow businesses to safeguard their email conversations and increase brand visibility without having to comply with severe trademark rules.
Importance of Common Mark Certificate
Let us see some of the essential aspects of CMC and how it emphasizes your business massively –
- Protection from Unregistered Trademarks
A Common Mark Certificate gives legal recognition to trademarks that are not registered formally. Although such marks do not fall under the legal provision of registration as a trademark, the certificate becomes a crucial document that proves the ownership of and the use of the mark under common law. In case the legitimacy of the mark is established in this sense, your brand identity and value are protected.
- Proof of Prior Use
One of the most important benefits of a Common Mark Certificate is that it provides evidence of prior use. In such circumstances where two parties claim rights over a similar mark, a course of prior use often determines who owns the mark rightly. A certificate proves that a mark has indeed been used in good faith for a set period. This also places one with an upper hand in defending or asserting ownership rights even though trademarks are not formally registered.
- Prevention of Brand Misuse
The Common Mark Certificate safeguards businesses from others who may use or emulate their brand elements. The message that a certificate generally sends is that the logo, symbol, or name is already taken and thereby comes under common law. This wards off competitors and other entities to use similar marks, thus diluting the risk and upholding market identity.
- Strengthens Claims in Litigation Cases
In case of a legal challenge, it empowers your hand as you can prove that you have seriously tried to protect the mark even without federal registration. For court or arbitration purposes, it could be supporting solid evidence in proving longstanding use of the mark and increasing your rights over ownership, an extremely crucial aspect in approaching a dispute over rights to intellectual property.
- Market Credibility and Consumer Trust
A Common Mark Certificate also builds consumer and partner confidence. This is because the certification indicates that your brand exists; hence, you are actually safeguarding its integrity. Of course, this may culminate in a greater market credibility in that it will be demonstrated that as a result of efforts to remain within the guidelines of regulation, consumers are loyal and trusting of your brand, thus not being confused in the marketplace.
Experts’ Words on Common Mark Certificate (CMC)
The popularity of Common Mark Certificates arises from their ability to eliminate the requirement for trademarks. According to Dean Coclin, Senior Director of Digital Trust Services at DigiCert, the new Common Mark Certificate represents the future, providing enterprises with increased phishing protection while safely presenting their brand.
Seth Blank, CTO of Valimail and Chair of the AuthIndicators Working Group, emphasizes that Common Mark Certificates make email authentication and BIMI more accessible, allowing organizations to boost brand exposure and email security. This invention represents a huge step forward for enterprises seeking to improve their digital trust.
Why do Organizations Choose Common Mark Certificates?
Choosing a Common Mark Certificate (CMC) over a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC) can be advantageous depending on your organization’s needs. Here’s why:
- Cost-Effective Solution: It is generally cheaper because it does not have to be trademarked, which could be pricey and time-consuming.
- Faster Implementation: Because a trademark does not have to be validated, getting a CMC and having your brand logo appear in inboxes is quicker.
- Improves Email Trust: For those without a registered trademark and for those who want something less complex yet not as expensive, CMC provides all the benefits of a VMC with less overhead.
For those without a registered trademark and for those who want something less complex yet not as expensive, CMC provides all the benefits of a VMC with less overhead.
Also Read: How to get a Gmail’s Blue Check Mark with Verified Mark Certificate
The Stakeholders: Who Can Avail Common Mark Certificates?
Some of the major industries that can reap fruitful consequences by adopting the Common Mark Certificate are as follows:
- Digital Marketers: Enhance your email marketing campaigns and keep reminding them of your brand because the message will pop-up right inside their inbox.
- Email Marketers: A trusted brand logo increases the chances of opening and reading by the email receiver. This is what increases the Click-Through Rate (CTR) and Click-To-Open Rate more than ever before.
- SaaS Companies: Cut through the noise in the inbox, nurture relationships with customers, and provide value on a consistent basis.
- Brands Without a Trademarked Logo: No problem here! Display that logo in a CMC and find all the benefits.
- SMBs and Enterprises: Whether in growth mode or well-established, CMCs amplify the engagement and trust for all brands under your umbrella.
Final Insights:
Finally, there is the CMC, which represents a game-changing solution that would allow better email security and branding without the strict restrictions of a registered trademark.
Therefore, the CMC promotes brand awareness besides building trust from receivers by encouraging more firms to adopt BIMI whereby making their emails more visible and trusted. It would be of considerable use for small business firms and organizations, as it allows these organizations to improve their techniques of email marketing while safeguarding them from phishing attacks.
Given the low cost and ease of access of the Common Mark Certificate, it is important that it enables enterprises to protect their electronic communications and establish long-term relationships with customers.