What is a Trademark and how does it differ from a service mark, trade name, and brand name?
Trademarks are part of the legal area called "Intellectual Property". Terms used in intellectual property are also commonly used in business and in every day language, however, when used in the intellectual property sense, their meanings are more specific. For intellectual property purposes:
Agencies that govern trademark registrations around the world:
Agencies at both the federal and state levels are responsible for trademarks in the U.S.
Each country has its own laws on trademarks. See the following web site to find the Intellectual Property Offices of different countries.
The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks provides a means for citizens of member countries to file one application for trademark protection in many countries; the U.S. is a member. These international registrations are administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Arizona Secretary of State Resources:
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Resources:
WIPO resources:
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