SHELL
The Shell trademark has been registered in the UK since the early twentieth century for fuels, oils, and lubricants. The Shell Transport and Trading Company was founded in London in 1897 and the scallop shell device became one of the most globally recognised trademarks in history.
UK IPO Record
- Application Number
- UK00912583671
- Word Mark
- SHELL
- Status
- Registered
- Applied
- 10 February 2014
- Registered
- 19 June 2014
- Next Renewal
- 10 February 2034
- Owner
- SHELL BRANDS INTERNATIONAL AG
- Nice Classes
- Class 4
Brand History & Trademark Analysis
The Shell trademark has been registered in the UK since the early twentieth century for fuels, oils, and lubricants. The Shell Transport and Trading Company was founded in London in 1897 and the scallop shell device became one of the most globally recognised trademarks in history. The brand's origin traces to Marcus Samuel importing decorative shells from the Far East in the 1830s.
Nice Class 4 covers fuels & lubricants. View all Class 4 trademarks and case studies →
Historical Background
The Shell Transport and Trading Company was founded in 1897 by Marcus Samuel Jr. to transport Russian kerosene through the Suez Canal. The scallop shell — specifically a pecten (fan-shaped) shell — was chosen as the logo in reference to the family's shell import business. The current yellow-and-red version of the shell device was designed by Raymond Loewy and introduced in 1971. Shell and Royal Dutch merged in 1907 to form Royal Dutch Shell. The pecten device is one of the most recognised logos globally and is registered as a figurative trademark in over 100 countries.