Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Trademarks explained

A trademark is a symbol or sign that an individual or an organization uses to identify products and services that it has developed as its own. Basically, it assigns ownership rights to you for specific products and services you have developed. A trademark is something that an individual or organization uses to identify specific products or services as their own. You may register your trademark with the US Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO). If your trademark is registered, you are allowed to use the ® sign. Otherwise, you can use the TM or the SM sign.

Trademarks uncovered

Trademarks are one of those things in life that nearly no one understands, but that just about everyone is unwilling to admit. So I'll make it easy: Trademarks simply designate a product's source of origin. If I say "Diet Coke" you probably think of a silver and red aluminum can, or a tall glass of ice filled with dark bubbling beverage. You can probably taste it, too. In any case, the trademark has successfully designated what it is and, and "it" is a particular low-calorie drink from the Coca-Cola Company folks.

Registration of a trademark

The registration of a trademark confers on the registered proprietor of the trademark the exclusive right to use the trademark in relation to the goods or services in respect of which the trademark is registered. While registration of a trademark is not compulsory it offers better legal protection for action for infringement.

CONCLUSION

While some individuals choose to hire attorneys to walk them through the process of applying for a trademark, others choose to use a trademark research firm, which can cost thousands of dollars less. It is important to remember when hiring someone to do your research that they not only search through Federal and State trademark records for name similarities, but also Common-Law listings.