What’s A Trademark?
The average person encounters 100s if not 1000s of trademarks every day (potentially exaggerated). Quick, how many trademarks do you see in the above image (answers below)? For something we encounter on a daily basis, what even is a trademark?
A trademark is a legal concept that refers to and protects something recognizable and unique that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services in commerce provided by one party from those of others. A trademark can be almost anything, so long as it identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services. Think about it, you see a brand name (Play-Doh®) and instantly know where the product comes from (Hasbro). Or you see a certain color on a product (like the green and yellow colors on the tractor) and you instantly know where the product comes from (John Deere). Or maybe you hear a sound (*dun-dun*) and you quickly know what the sound is connected to (Law & Order®) and where the sound comes from (NBC). A trademark is recognizable and tells you who owns it.
Trademarks help you know where things come from so that you can trust (or not trust) the quality and reputation of what you're buying. Trademarks also play a crucial role in commerce by promoting fair competition and protecting the reputation and goodwill of businesses. They help consumers make informed choices by allowing them to identify and differentiate between products or services in the marketplace. And they help brand owners protect against counterfeiters and those seeking to profit from the quality and reputation established by the brand owner.
Eager to jump in and learn more? Check out our posts on 5 Key Facts About Trademarks, 5 More Key Facts About Trademarks, Traditional Trademarks, and Non-Traditional Trademarks.
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Band-Aid® is a registered trademark owned by KENVUE INC. (Johnson & Johnson). See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration No. 194,123.
Fiskars® and the “Fiskars Orange Color” are registered trademarks owned by FISKARS OYJ ABP. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 1,000,233 and 3,197,824.
Jeep® and the “Jeep Grille Shape” are registered trademarks owned by FCA US LLC (Chrysler). See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 526,175 and 1,170,088.
John Deere® and the “John Deere Green and Yellow Colors” are registered trademarks owned by DEERE & COMPANY. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 91,860 and 3,964,878.
Lamborghini® and the “Lamborghini Door Motion” are registered trademarks owned by AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI S.P.A. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 1,622,382 and 2,793,439.
Law & Order® and the “Law & Order Dun-Dun Sound” are registered trademarks owned by NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 2,813,741 and 3,137,680.
Lightsaber® and the “Lightsaber Sound” are registered trademarks owned by LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 2,772,052 and 3,618,321.
Play-Doh® and the “Play-Doh Scent” are registered trademarks owned by HASBRO, INC. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 650,035 and 5,467,089.
Rollerblade® is a registered trademark owned by TECNICA GROUP S.P.A. (Rollerblade). See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration No. 1,326,171.
Sawzall® is a registered trademark owned by MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration No. 4,131,926.
TASER® and the “TASER Yellow Configuration” are registered trademarks owned by AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 3,693,311, 6,988,411, and 7,847,889.
Tiffany® and the “Tiffany Blue Color” are registered trademarks owned by TIFFANY (NJ) LLC (Tiffany & Co.). See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 133,063 and 2,416,795.
Zamboni® and the “Zamboni Shape” are registered trademarks owned by FRANK J. ZAMBONI & COMPANY, INC. See, for example, U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 789,009 and 2,376,466.