Trademarks

A trademark is a distinctive name, symbol, slogan, phrase, logo or other marketing identifier (such as a color, shape or sound) that is used in connection with goods or services in interstate commerce to uniquely identify the source or origin of those goods or services.  Legal rights to a trademark are acquired through use of the trademark in commerce, and the United States government grants a registration of those legal rights to the first user of the trademark.  In general terms, a trademark protects the name or other marketing characteristic used in connection with a product (good) or service, but does not protect the product (good) or service associated with the trademark.  Trademark rights may remain in force for as long as the trademark is used in connection with the goods or services in commerce.

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