trademark

The word “trademark” means a registered word, symbol, or phrase that legally identifies a company's product and sets it apart from competitors. In plain terms, a legally protected brand name or symbol, or someone's signature trait.

“Trademark” is pronounced TRAYD-mahk (/ˈtɹeɪdmɑɹk/ in IPA).

Here is “trademark” used in a sentence: “The logo is a registered trademark of the company.”

Depending on how it is used, “trademark” can be a noun and a verb.

“Trademark” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Trademark” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a registered word, symbol, or phrase that legally identifies a company's product and sets it apart from competitors.

A trademark protects the words, symbols, or phrases that identify a company's products and set them apart from competitors, while a copyright protects original creative works such as books, music, films, and art. They cover different things and are registered through separate legal processes.

A brand is the overall identity, reputation, and image of a product or company, whereas a trademark is the specific legally protected element — such as a name, logo, or slogan — that represents that brand. A brand is a marketing idea; a trademark is a legal right.

The unregistered trademark symbol can be used on any mark a business claims through use, even if it has not been officially registered, while the registered symbol may only be used once a trademark has been formally registered with a government office. Using the registered symbol on an unregistered mark is generally not permitted.