What is a trademark and what does it protect?
Trademarks, copyrights, and patents protect different types of intellectual property. A trademark typically protects brand names and logos used on goods and services. A copyright protects an original artistic or literary work. A patent protects an invention.
What is the legal definition of a trademark?
Understanding trademarks. … A trademark is a sign or combination of signs used or proposed to be used by a person to distinguish their goods or services from those of others. Over time, trademarks come to stand for not only the actual goods or services a person or company provides, but also the reputation of the producer …
What are the 3 types of trademarks?
There are three different types of trademarks that can be registered:
- A word or design mark. …
- A certification mark. …
- A distinguishing guise.
What are the four types of trademarks?
Trademarks can generally be categorized into one of four categories of distinctiveness, from most to least distinctive: coined, arbitrary, suggestive and descriptive. Words and designs that lack any distinctiveness fall into a fifth category, “generic,” and cannot function as trademarks.
Can you sue someone for using your trademark?
The ultimate objective with legal proceedings is to prevent further unauthorized use of the trademark by the infringer. Not only that, but you may also seek compensation in the form of damages or an account of profits.
Is it worth it to trademark a logo?
Logos can function as trademarks just like any other brand identifier can. … In either case, if your logo is an important brand identifier – meaning, if the logo is strongly identified with your company, products, or services, then it’s worth protecting by registering it as a trademark.
Is Coca Cola a trademark?
The Coca-Cola Corp owns the trademark to the name Coca-Cola, as well as the trademark on the bottle shape, and the graphic representation of their name. These are all things that help distinguish them from other cola brands and define their individual product. Coca-Cola also owns the patent on their formula.
What is trademark in simple words?
A trademark is a unique symbol or word(s) used to represent a business or its products. Once registered, that same symbol or series of words cannot be used by any other organization, forever, as long as it remains in use and proper paperwork and fees are paid.
What words Cannot be trademarked?
However, you can’t trademark:
- Proper names or likenesses without consent from the person.
- Generic terms, phrases, or the like.
- Government symbols or insignia.
- Vulgar or disparaging words or phrases.
- The likeness of a U.S. President, former or current.
- Immoral, deceptive, or scandalous words or symbols.
- Sounds or short motifs.
How long do US trademarks last?
Unlike patents and copyrights, trademarks do not expire after a set period of time. Trademarks will persist so long as the owner continues to use the trademark. Once the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), grants a registered trademark, the owner must continue to use the trademark in ordinary commerce.
What happens if you don’t have a trademark?
Having an officially registered trademark for your business is not actually a legal requirement. … However, if you do not have a registered trademark, the legal position is that you do not have good legal rights to your name or brand. You may not even own your name or your brand.
How can I protect my logo legally?
If you want to protect your brand identity you have to register a trademark for your company name, logos, and slogans. By using the trademark symbol, you notify other people that products they use are your property. In order to prevent unauthorized use of your mark by third parties, you have to choose a strong one.
Is it better to trademark a name or logo?
Which One Should I Trademark? It depends. Higher value tends to lie in name recognition rather than familiarity of a logo. Since logos change more often than names, it usually makes more sense to register a standard character mark to protect the business moniker itself.17 мая 2020 г.
What is the strongest type of trademark?
Fanciful marks