Trademark Help
TRADEMARKS
- What is a Trademark? A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. Trademarks are what help you know what to expect when you eat a cheeseburger from "McDonald's" and wash it down with a "Coke", whether you're in San Francisco, Chicago, or Shanghai.
- How long does Trademark Protection last? So long as the trademark renewal processes are followed and approved, the duration of a trademark is unlimited, and may last for as long as the mark remains distinctive.
- What good does a Trademark registration do? Federal registration of a trademark protects a brand name, including a notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark, a legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and the exclusive right to use the mark on or in connection with the goods or services mentioned in the registration.
- What is a Service Mark? A service mark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than goods. The term “trademark” is often used to refer to both trademarks and service marks.