Trademarks & Service Marks

A trademark is an emblem, logo, name, designation, symbol, word, or device that is used in trade of goods (tangible products and wares) to give evidence of the maker or source of the products and wares and to differentiate those products and wares from the products and wares of others. A service mark differentiates and identifies the source of a service rather than a good. The terms "trademark" and "mark" are commonly used interchangeably to refer to both trademarks and service marks. Trademark rights may be used to exclude or preclude others from using a confusingly similar or nearly identical mark, but not to stop other ventures or people from manufacturing identical goods or from selling identical goods or services under a clearly dissimilar mark. The United Stated Patent and Trademark Office registers trademarks used in interstate or foreign commerce.