What is a Trademark?
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is any word, name, symbol, design or device or any combination used to identify and distinguish the goods or services of the trademark owner over those of others.
A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes a service
rather than a product.
The term “mark” or simply “trademark” is generally used and refers to all categories of trademarks
and service marks.
Trademarks identify and distinguish a product or service from that of its competitors. Distinctive
words, letters, numbers, sounds, logos, design, packaging, slogans, phrases, characters, packaging
and other non-functional features can be protected as trademarks.
- Names – Exxon, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Amazon.com
- Logos – McDonald’s Golden Arches, Nike Swoosh, Michelin Man Character.
- Slogans – “The quicker picker-upper” (Bounty), “It’s everywhere you want to be” (Visa), “Where do
you want to go today?” (Microsoft)