Definition of trademark

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office definition of trademark: “A word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.”

Other definitions of trademark from around the web

“A recognizable sign, design, or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source from those of others, although trademarks used to identify services are usually called service marks.” – Wikipedia

“Distinctive design, graphics, logo, symbols, words, or any combination thereof that uniquely identifies a firm and/or its goods or services, guarantees the item’s genuineness, and gives it[s] owner the legal rights to prevent the trademark’s unauthorized use.” – BusinessDictionary (no longer online)

“A name and symbol or other visual expression that indicates a source of goods or services and prevents confusion in the marketplace.” – The Dictionary of Brand, Marty Neumeier (Liquid Agency)

“Any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof—

1. used by a person, or
2. which a person has a bona fide intention to use in commerce and applies to register on the principal register established by this chapter,

to identify and distinguish his or her goods, including a unique product, from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.” – Legal Information Institute (LII), Cornell Law School

Also known as

• Trade mark
• Trade-mark

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