What is a Trademark or Servicemark?
A trademark is a word, name, symbol, or device that is used in trade with goods to indicate the source of the goods and to distinguish them from the goods of others. A servicemark is the same as a trademark except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. The terms “trademark” and “mark” are commonly used to refer to both trademarks and servicemarks.

Trademark rights may be used to prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark, but not to prevent others from making the same goods or from selling the same goods or services under a clearly different mark. Trademarks which are used in interstate or foreign commerce may be registered with the USPTO. The registration procedure for trademarks and general information concerning trademarks is described in a separate pamphlet entitled “Basic Facts about Trademarks.”


Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office


This document is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
                                                                                                                            
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This fact sheet provides information about trademarks and servicemarks, a type of intellectual property that is protected under U.S. law. You can find more details on patents, trademarks, and copyrights by browsing our menu of intellectual property topics.
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