trademark
Registered brand identifier
A trademark is a name, symbol, or design that legally identifies a product or company and distinguishes it from competitors: Nike's swoosh is one of the most recognizable trademarks in the world.
The term extends to any distinctive characteristic: Hitchcock's cameos became his trademark.
As a verb, to trademark is to register such a mark for legal protection.
Informally, trademark describes signature moves or habits: his trademark smirk.
Company identifying symbol
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- wordmarkText-based brand identity
- brandmarkDistinctive commercial emblem
- logotypeBranded identifying graphic
monogram · insignia · badge · seal · watermark · crest · device · stamp
Creating distinctive identity
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- hallmarkDistinguishing characteristic or mark
- nameplateIdentifying sign mounted publicly
label · tag · marque · tradename · corporate identity · slogan · tagline · livery
Formally recorded or enrolled
- unregisteredNot formally recorded
- common lawJurisprudence from judicial decisions
- filingStoring documents systematically
- applicationFormal request document
Violation of rights
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- protectionGuarding against harm
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- cease and desistLegal order to stop
litigation · unauthorized · dilution · enforcement · violation · injunction · licensing · fair use
Legal rights over inventions
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
- copyrightExclusive reproduction rights
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
- intangible assetValuable right without substance
goodwill · licensing rights · royalty · ownership · monopoly · exclusivity · non-disclosure
Readily identifiable, set apart
- recognizableAble to be identified
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- uniqueOnly one exists
- memorableWorth holding onto
unmistakable · characteristic · signature · quintessential · emblematic · singular · noteworthy · striking
logo
Company identifying symbol
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- wordmarkText-based brand identity
- brandmarkDistinctive commercial emblem
logotype · monogram · insignia · badge · seal · watermark · crest · device · stamp · imprint
branding
Creating distinctive identity
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- hallmarkDistinguishing characteristic or mark
nameplate · label · tag · marque · tradename · corporate identity · slogan · tagline · livery · packaging
registered
Formally recorded or enrolled
- unregisteredNot formally recorded
- common lawJurisprudence from judicial decisions
- filingStoring documents systematically
application · specimen · disclaimer · classification · goods and services
infringement
Violation of rights
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- protectionGuarding against harm
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
cease and desist · litigation · unauthorized · dilution · enforcement · violation · injunction · licensing · fair use · jurisdiction
intellectual property
Legal rights over inventions
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
- copyrightExclusive reproduction rights
- proprietaryLegally owned, restricted use
intangible asset · goodwill · licensing rights · royalty · ownership · monopoly · exclusivity · non-disclosure
distinctive
Readily identifiable, set apart
- recognizableAble to be identified
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- uniqueOnly one exists
memorable · unmistakable · characteristic · signature · quintessential · emblematic · singular · noteworthy · striking · distinguishing
genuine
Truly what it claims
- originalFirst or inventive
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
authorized · legitimate · real · authentic · licensed · verified · approved · endorsed · bona fide · guaranteed
- legallawyer, judge, jury, trial, verdict
- product labelsingredient list, warning labels, safety labels, warning label, nutrition facts
- intellectual propertypatents, copyright, patent, copyrights, IP rights
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
- US Lawattorney, lawyer, lawsuit, jury, federal court
- brand markslogo, brandmark, symbol, corporate logo, lettermark
trademarkgeneric term
Nonspecific identifying phrase
public domain · generic name · common name · common property
trademarkgeneric
Not brand-name
generic name · commodity · unbranded · common noun · knockoff
- registered trademarkLegally protected brand identifier
- trademark infringementUnauthorized use of protected marks
- trademark rightsLegal protection for marks