trademark
TRAYD-mark
/ˈtreɪd.mɑːrk/
A symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product.
Serves primarily to identify the source of goods and prevent consumer confusion in the marketplace.
The story behind the word. Craftsmen and merchants since medieval times burned or stamped unique 'marks' onto their goods to signify origin and guarantee quality to buyers in open markets.
Word relationships
- brand: Brand is a broad marketing concept, whereas a trademark is the formal legal protection of brand elements.
- generic term: A generic term refers to a general category of goods and cannot be trademarked.
Commonly confused with
- patent: Trademarks protect commercial logos and names, while patents protect technological inventions.
Word family
- trademarked (adjective): Protected by trademark registration.
Collocations
- registered trademark
- trademark infringement
- trademark protection
- apply for a trademark
Example sentences
- "The company's iconic swoosh logo is a registered trademark known worldwide." Corporate branding document
- "The court ruled that the rival company's name was confusingly similar and constituted trademark infringement." Commercial law news
Memory hook
A TRADEMARK is a MARK you put on your goods in TRADE. TRADEMARK = Mark for trade identity.
When not to use
Do not use 'trademark' for entire technical inventions or written manuscripts.
Fun facts
- Bass Pale Ale's red triangle, registered in Britain in 1876, is widely considered the world's first officially registered trademark.
Related words
Explore more words
intellectual property, brand, antitrust, landmark, patent, positioning
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