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A trademark is a word, name, symbol, logo, or other sign that identifies the source of goods or services and sets them apart from others. The United States Patent and Trademark Office registers federal trademarks, and states and courts also play a role. Trademarks protect buyers from confusion as well as businesses from imitation.

Readers usually want to know what can be a trademark, how to apply, and what the symbols next to a brand name mean. They ask how registration differs from simply using a mark, what the different types of marks are, and how disputes over similar names are settled.

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October 2last updated

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All Articles on Trademarks

A Guide to the ® and ™ Symbols

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Understanding the Different Types of Trademarks

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a U.S. Trademark

A trademark is a business asset that functions as your identifier in the marketplace. It can be any distinctive word, name, symbol, or device—or…

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Intellectual Property: Copyright, Trademark, and Patent Explained

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