Trademarks FAQs

• Q: What Is A Trademark?
  A: A trademark is a type of mark. Traditionally, the term, "trademark," described only marks designating products, or "goods" (as opposed to services). However, the word … More
• Q: Should I hire a Trademark Attorney?
  A: Yes, if you plan on adopting and using a collective mark or asserting your legal rights under trademark law in pursing a certification mark infringement lawsuit or … More
• Q: What Is A Certification Mark?
  A: A certification mark is any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce with the owner's permission by someone other … More
• Q: What Is A Collective Mark?
  A: While the definition may vary from one country to the other, collective marks (also known as collective trademarks) are usually defined as signs that distinguish the … More
• Q: How Are Trademarks Acquired?
  A: Trademarks generally are acquired through adoption and use. Trademarks may also be obtained by assignment. Check with a trademark lawyer for more information about … More
• Q: What is a service mark?
  A: A service mark is any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce, to identify and distinguish the services of one … More
• Q: What are the benefits of a federal trademark registration?
  A: Federal trademark registration has several benefits, including: Constructive notice nationwide of the trademark owner's claim. Evidence of ownership of the … More
• Q: What is the difference between TM and the R within the circle ®?
  A: Use of the TM and SM symbols may be governed by local, state, or foreign laws and the laws of a pertinent jurisdiction to identify the marks that a party claims … More
• Q: How do I obtain a copy of a trademark?
  A: Copies of documents in an application file, including, the application itself, Office action and copies of the registration certificate, can be ordered by telephone, … More
• Q: How long does a trademark registration last?
  A: For a trademark registration to remain valid, an Affidavit of Use (Section 8 Affidavit) must be filed: (1) between the fifth and sixth year following registration, … More