What is a Trademark?
The term “trademark” is used casually in conversation these days, especially with the growth of small businesses and the importance of branding in both small and large businesses. Today, it is common for businesses to have catchphrases, logos, taglines, letterheads, and other branding insignias. So, are all of these trademarks?
A trademark is a recognizable word, design (logo), or a combination that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others. A trademark may be located on the product itself or on a package holding a product. They can also appear on other marketing materials including websites, pamphlets, and physical and electronic communications.
To elaborate further, trademarks can be classified as either a word mark or a design mark. A word mark is just that- words. When you file a trademark application for a word mark, you are just protecting a series of words. A word mark is one or more words that can be typed in a standard character format using a keyboard without any stylization. A good example of a word mark is:
In contrast, a design mark is generally a graphic design with or without wording, or just stylized wording. Often companies have a digital mascot or symbol that consumers associate with the company and these are design marks.
A good example of a design mark without wording is:
Additionally, some design marks can include a graphic design and a combination of words. A registration for a design mark can protect the colors and stylized text of the words, as well as the graphic design of the mark.
A good example of a design mark with both a graphic design and words is :
When it comes to the filing of trademark applications, it is also important that the word mark or design mark be used properly as a trademark. Proper use can vary depending on where the applicant is using the mark. In particular, if being displayed on a website, the mark should be displayed at the top of the webpage and be spaced apart from other text and images. Also, the mark should not be imbedded within a paragraph on a webpage which would not be considered proper trademark use. To enhance the mark, it should be in a larger size than other text on the webpage. If the mark is being used on a product, it should be shown in a larger size than the other text and spaced apart from other text and images.
To obtain nationwide protection for your trademark, a trademark application must be properly filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). If the application is successful, the applicant will have a trademark registration which confers nationwide rights to the applicant. By utilizing a trademark attorney, the likelihood of obtaining a federal trademark registration increases dramatically.
Please reach out to us if you would like to get more information on obtaining a trademark registration!Back To Blog
Alama ya Biashara Ni Nini? Neno "alama ya biashara" hutumiwa kwa kawaida katika mazungumzo siku hizi, haswa na ukuaji wa biashara ndogo ndogo na umuhimu wa chapa katika biashara ndogo na kubwa. Leo, ni jambo la kawaida kwa biashara kuwa na misemo, nembo, maneno ya utani, vichwa vya barua, na alama nyingine za chapa. Kwa hiyo, je, hizi zote ni alama za biashara? Alama ya biashara ni neno linalojulikana, muundo (alama), au mchanganyiko ambao hutambulisha bidhaa au huduma kutoka chanzo fulani na kuzitofautisha na zingine. Alama ya biashara inaweza kuwa iko kwenye bidhaa yenyewe au kwenye kifurushi kinachohifadhi bidhaa. Wanaweza pia kuonekana kwenye vifaa vingine vya uuzaji ikiwa ni pamoja na tovuti, vijitabu, na mawasiliano ya kimwili na elektroniki. Kwa maelezo zaidi, alama za biashara zinaweza kuainishwa kama alama ya neno au alama ya muundo. Alama ya neno ni hivyo tu - maneno. Unapowasilisha ombi la alama ya biashara kwa alama ya neno, unalinda tu mfululizo wa maneno. Alama ya neno ni neno moja au zaidi ambayo inaweza kuwa typed katika muundo wa herufi ya kawaida kwa kutumia keyboard bila stylization yoyote. Kwa mfano, alama ya neno ni alama ya picha, ambayo kwa kawaida ni picha iliyo na maneno au bila maneno, au maneno ya mtindo. Kampuni nyingi zina mascot au alama ya dijiti ambayo watumiaji wanahusianisha na kampuni na hizi ni alama za muundo. Mfano mzuri wa alama ya muundo bila maneno ni: Kwa kuongezea, alama zingine za muundo zinaweza kujumuisha muundo wa picha na mchanganyiko wa maneno. Usajili wa alama ya muundo unaweza kulinda rangi na maandishi ya maneno, pamoja na muundo wa picha ya alama. Mfano mzuri wa alama ya muundo na maneno ni: Wakati wa kuwasilisha maombi ya alama ya biashara, ni muhimu pia kwamba alama ya neno au alama ya muundo itumike vizuri kama alama ya biashara. Matumizi sahihi yanaweza kutofautiana kulingana na mahali ambapo mwombaji anatumia alama. Kwa mfano, ikiwa alama hiyo itaonyeshwa kwenye wavuti, inapaswa kuonyeshwa juu ya ukurasa wa wavuti na kuwa mbali na maandishi na picha zingine. Pia, alama haipaswi kuingizwa ndani ya kifungu kwenye ukurasa wa wavuti ambayo haingehesabiwa kama matumizi sahihi ya alama ya biashara. Ili kuboresha alama, inapaswa kuwa katika ukubwa mkubwa kuliko maandishi mengine kwenye ukurasa wa wavuti. Kama alama ni kutumika juu ya bidhaa, ni lazima kuonyeshwa katika ukubwa mkubwa kuliko maandishi mengine na spaced mbali na maandishi mengine na picha. Ili kupata ulinzi wa kitaifa kwa alama yako ya biashara, maombi ya alama ya biashara lazima yawasilishwe kwa usahihi na Ofisi ya Patent na Alama ya Biashara ya Marekani (USPTO). Ikiwa maombi ni mafanikio, mwombaji atakuwa na usajili wa alama ya biashara ambayo inatoa haki za kitaifa kwa mwombaji. Kwa kutumia mwanasheria wa alama ya biashara, uwezekano wa kupata usajili wa alama ya biashara ya shirikisho huongezeka sana. Tafadhali wasiliana nasi ikiwa ungependa kupata habari zaidi juu ya kupata usajili wa alama ya biashara!Rudi kwenye Blogi