Article 6ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property protects flags and state emblems against registration and unauthorised use as a trade mark. Names and emblems of international intergovernmental organisations and official signs indicating control are also protected under this article.  The emblems and official signs are notified by the states and intergovernmental organisations and are subsequently published by WIPO in the Article 6ter Express electronic database.

In Switzerland, coats of arms, flags and other emblems of the Confederation, cantons, districts and local authorities are also protected.