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Trademark Information
Mother Teresa's Name
Missionaries of Charity have a trademark on the name of ‘Mother Teresa’ under the Trademarks Act 1999 which means that no individual or organization is allowed to use the name of ‘Mother Teresa’ for any commercial or charitable purpose without the permission of the Missionaries of Charity.
These protections were obtained in keeping with the express wish of Mother that neither her name, nor her words or image be used for fundraising or the solicitation of donations for whatever cause, however worthy it may be. Mother Teresa has explicitly bequeathed the control of the use of her name in the successor of the office of Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity.
This is the link for the Trademark Information of Mother Teresa’s Name: https://www3.wipo.int/madrid/monitor/en/showData.jsp?ID=ROM.1241155
Saree of Missionaries of Charity
The Trademark Registry of the Government of India has granted on 4th September 2016, the registration of the trademark for the pattern of the blue bordered saree, which is distinctive mark of identity of the Missionaries of Charity, , which means that people desiring to use the blue bordered pattern saree should obtain prior permission of the Missionaries of Charity.
For more information, please see: https://www.biswajitsarkar.com/highlights/mother-teresas-blue-saree-an-intellectual-property
Copyright Information
The emblem of our Society consists of a map of the world in an oval shape with India at the centre, encircled by a rosary with the rays from the Cross spreading from Calcutta throughout the world. Our name is also included with “Missionaries,” written above the map, and “of Charity” written below. This logo and name is protected under Copyright.
For more information, please see: https://www.biswajitsarkar.com/highlights/missionaries-of-charity-copyright
Legal Protections
Mother Teresa is a well-known public figure. Her identity cannot be misused or misappropriated. In general, any kind of unauthorised commercial exploitation of renowned personas is a violation of their personal rights.
- Mother Teresa herself had made a formal and legal statement in 1984, stating “the exclusive right to control the use of my name should be vested in my successor…in the office of Superior of the Missionaries of Charity.”
- Even during her lifetime Mother Teresa refused to allow other individuals and organisations to use her name or image in connection with the raising of funds.
- Mother Teresa wrote press statements in which she appealed to the public not to use her name, words and image in connection with raising of funds, expressly mentioned in a public statement on October 1993.
- The name Mother Teresa has been registered in the name of Missionaries of Charity under Trades Mark 1999 under various categories.
Below is a statement from the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, Sr Joseph, M.C., from May 2025, regarding the protection of the legacy of St Teresa of Calcutta.
Important Statement from Sr Joseph, M.C., Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity
