About Trademarks


Is a logo your trademark? Find out here!

Trademarks are more than just a brand mark.  You will need a deep understanding of trademarks if you are going to run a business or begin to build a brand.  You need to determine if what you need is a Trademark.

Definition of the definition of Trademark versus Service mark –

What is a trademark or service mark?

  • trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.
  • service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. Throughout this booklet, the terms “trademark” and “mark” refer to both trademarks and service marks.

Read “A Guide to Logos”

You want to use your trademark as an adjective rather than a noun; Wathch the Way 2 Go Bistro™ Show!

Word mark – the word Way 2 Go is the word mark.

Servicemark – is the entire picture.

You must have commerce to register the marks or you will need to file “an intend to use” to protect the mark.

The ™ symbol may be used whenever a company wants to indicate any mark that they consider to be a trademark and requires no permission from the government.

The ® symbol may only be used after the United States Governmenmt grants the Federal Registration Certificate and the application may not be pending. Read teh Guide to Logos

Watch the Way 2 Go Bistro ® Show means that a Federal Certificate is granted and this is the only time you may use the ® symbol.

Learing the diffference and when to use © (copyrights) versus ® (registered mark) versus ™! is a very import step.  For example in this logo there is an example of all, copyright, trademark and service mark.Trademark rights are vested in “common law” and therefore they may have state rights as well as federal protection.  Also a Trademark, does not necessarily protect you internationally and here you will surely need a consultant.

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Understand the defense, The Fair Use Doctrine


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