{"id":1510,"date":"2025-04-02T17:01:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T22:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comptoniplaw.com\/?page_id=1510"},"modified":"2025-04-15T12:14:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T17:14:04","slug":"trademark-attorney","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/comptoniplaw.com\/index.php\/trademark-attorney\/","title":{"rendered":"TRADEMARK ATTORNEY"},"content":{"rendered":"
BACK TO PRACTICE AREAS<\/span><\/a><\/div>

TRADEMARK ATTORNEY<\/h2>\n

What is a Trademark or Servicemark?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>

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. \u00a0A servicemark is the same as a trademark except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. \u00a0The terms \u201ctrademark\u201d and \u201cmark\u201d are commonly used to refer to both trademarks and servicemarks.<\/p>\n

In sum, a trademark or servicemark lets consumers know that the goods or services come only from a particular source.\u00a0 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 that are used in interstate or foreign commerce may be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).<\/p>\n<\/div>

Ask the Experts<\/span><\/a><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>TRADEMARK FAQs<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Frequently Asked Questions about Trademarks<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When can I use the trademark symbols TM, SM, and \u00ae ?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Each time you use your mark, it is best to use a designation with it. \u00a0If registered, use an \u00ae<\/strong> after the mark. \u00a0If not yet registered, use TM for goods or SM for services, to indicate that you have adopted this as a trademark or service mark, respectively, regardless of whether you have filed an application with the USPTO. You may only use the registration symbol with the mark on or in connection with the goods\/services listed in the federal trademark registration. \u00a0However, no specific requirements exist as to the precise use of the \u201c\u00ae<\/strong>\u201d symbol as to placement, e.g., whether used in a subscript or superscript manner. Note: Several foreign countries use \u201c\u00ae<\/strong>\u201d to indicate that a mark is registered in that country. Use of the symbol by the holder of a foreign registration may be proper.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Can I file a trademark application for a mark that I am not using but want to use sometime in the future?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Yes, in the form of an Intent-To-Use application.\u00a0 If you have not yet used a mark but plan to do so in the future, you may file based on a good faith or bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce. A bona fide intent to use the mark is more than an idea and less than market ready. \u00a0For example, having a business plan, creating sample products, or performing other initial business activities may reflect a bona fide intent to use the mark.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Is federal registration of my mark required?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        No, but a person or business that has a federal registration for a mark has the right to use that mark in the U.S., including in states where a subsequent (\u201cjunior\u201d) state mark is registered.\u00a0 Once the federal registrant enters the junior\u2019s market area, the junior must cease to use the mark. \u00a0Furthermore, the federal registration itself is constructive notice of the right to use the mark across the entire U.S.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How do domain names, business name registrations, and trademarks differ?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          A domain name is part of a web address that links to the internet protocol address (IP address) of a particular website.\u00a0 A domain name and a trademark differ. A trademark identifies goods or services as being from a particular source.\u00a0 Use of a domain name only as part of a web address does not qualify as source-indicating trademark use, though other prominent use apart from the web address may qualify as trademark use.\u00a0 Registration of a domain name with a domain name registrar does not give you any trademark rights.\u00a0 For example, even if you register a certain domain name with a domain name registrar, you could later be required to surrender it if it infringes someone else\u2019s trademark rights.<\/p>\n

          Similarly, use of a business name does not necessarily qualify as trademark use, though other use of a business name as the source of goods or services may qualify it as both a business name and a trademark. \u00a0Many states and local jurisdictions register business names, either as part of obtaining a certificate to do business or as an assumed name filing. \u00a0For example, in a state where you will be doing business, you might file documents (typically with a state corporation commission or state division of corporations) to form a business entity, such as a corporation or limited liability company. You would select a name for your entity, for example, XYZ, Inc. If no other company has already applied for that exact name in that state and you comply with all other requirements, the state likely would issue you a certificate and authorize you to do business under that name. However, a state\u2019s authorization to form a business with a particular name does not also give you trademark rights and other parties could later try to prevent your use of the business name if they believe a likelihood of confusion exists with their trademarks.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. What is trade dress?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Trade dress includes the design of a product (i.e., the product shape or configuration), the packaging in which a product is sold (i.e., the “dressing” of a product), the color of a product or of the packaging in which a product is sold, and the flavor of a product.\u00a0Wal-Mart<\/em>, 529 U.S. at 205, 54 USPQ2d at 1065 (design of children\u2019s outfits constitutes product design);\u00a0Two Pesos,<\/em>\u00a0505 U.S. at 763, 23 USPQ2d at 1081 (interior of a restaurant is akin to product packaging);\u00a0Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Prods. Co.<\/em>, 514 U.S. 159, 34 USPQ2d 1161 (1995) (color alone may be protectible);\u00a0In re N.V. Organon<\/em>, 79 USPQ2d 1639 (TTAB 2006) (flavor is analogous to product design and may be protectible unless it is functional). However, this is not an exhaustive list, because “almost anything at all that is capable of carrying meaning” may be used as a “symbol” or “device” and constitute trade dress that identifies the source or origin of a product.\u00a0Qualitex,\u00a0<\/em>514 U.S. at 162, 34 USPQ2d at 1162. Trade dress marks may be used in connection with goods and services.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Should I perform a trademark search?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Conducting a complete search of your mark before filing an application may be important because the results may identify potential problems, such as a likelihood of confusion with a prior registered mark or a mark in a pending application. A search could save you the expense of applying for a mark in which you will likely not receive a registration because another party may already have stronger rights in that mark. Also, the search results may show whether your mark or a part of your mark appears as generic or descriptive wording in other registrations, and thus is weak and\/or difficult to protect.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is a generic mark or generic term in relation to trademarks?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                A mark is generic if its primary significance to the relevant public is the class or category of goods or services on or in connection with which it is used.\u00a0See<\/em>\u00a0H. Marvin Ginn Corp. v. Int\u2019l Ass\u2019n of Fire Chiefs, Inc.<\/em>, 782 F.2d 987, 989-90, 228 USPQ 528, 530 (Fed. Cir. 1986). \u00a0A generic term does not meet the statutory definition of a mark because it is incapable of denoting a unique source.\u00a0In re Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith, Inc.<\/em>, 828 F.2d 1567, 1569 (Fed. Cir. 1987).<\/p>\n

                Example:\u00a0 The mark \u201cLOG CABIN HOMES\u201d was deemed to be generic for architectural design of buildings and retail outlets selling kits for building log homes.\u00a0 See In re Log Cabin Homes Ltd.<\/em>, 52 USPQ2d 1206 (TTAB 1999).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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