Businesses invest lots of time, talent and money developing a unique good or service to distinguish them from their competitors. A trademark can provide intellectual property protection for this asset. Trademark basics A trademark includes any word, phrase, design, or a combination of these items that identifies goods or services. A trademark also includes service marks. Trademarks protects goods while service marks protect services. Trademarks identify the source of goods and services, legally protects a brand, and helps guard against counterfeiting and fraud. Trademarks, however, are not ownership of a word or phrase and do not prevent others from using these identifiers. Having a trademark just provides rights on how that word or phrase is used with a specific good or service. Owning and registration You own a trademark when you start using it with your goods or services. A trademark establishes limited rights in the geographic area where you are using goods or services. Registration of a trademark gives more rights and protections from unregistered use. Registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office creates nationwide rights and protections for a trademark. Trademark symbols Trademark symbols provide notice to consumers and competitors about trademark claims. The TM symbol represent … Continue reading What do trademarks protect?