Trademark Law | Intellectual Property Law Center

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xml:lang="en" lang="en" dir="ltr"> <head prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# fb: http://ogp.me/ns/fb# website: http://ogp.me/ns/website#"> <title> Trademark Law | Intellectual Property Law Center | Justia </title> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow" /> <meta name="referrer" content="origin" /> <meta name="referrer" content="unsafe-url" /> <meta name="trigger-ga" content="1" /> <meta name="is-li" content="0" /> <meta name="page-type" content="Portal: Consumer Content Page" /> <meta name="description" content="Overview of key issues related to trademarks, which identify sources of goods to consumers, as well as the benefits of trademark protection." /> <meta property="og:title" content="Trademark Law " /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Justia" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://justatic.com/v/20241011123659/branding/social-media/x2/justia.jpg" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2018-04-25 11:06:23" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-10-13 01:01:29" /> <meta property="og:admins" content="656268335,686786921,25900864" /> <meta property="og:app_id" content="119529808075661" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/trademarks/" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Overview of key issues related to trademarks, which identify sources of goods to consumers, as well as the benefits of trademark protection." /> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="@JustiaCom" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/trademarks/" /> <link href="https://company.justia.com" rel="publisher" />  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P2QTGCR');</script>  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script>window.jshides = [];</script> <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.svg" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="144x144" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.png" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="128x128" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_128.png" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" sizes="16x16 24x24 32x32 48x48 64x64 96x96 128x128" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/justia.ico" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="57x57" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="72x72" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="114x114" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/png" sizes="144x144" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="57x57" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="72x72" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_72.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="114x114" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_114.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" type="image/png" sizes="144x144" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/jbutton_flat_144.png" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" sizes="16x16 24x24 32x32 48x48 64x64 96x96 128x128" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/justia/justia.ico" /> <link href="https://justatic.com/v/20170607171015/branding/favicon.ico" rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="all" href="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/css/core.css" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://justatic.com"/> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com"/> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.google-analytics.com"/> <script>(function(){if(top!=self){top.location.replace(self.location.href);}})();</script> </head> <body class="content-left-sidebar bg-white consumer-center sticky-footer" data-project="portal" data-directive="j-gdpr" data-privacy-policy-url="https://www.justia.com/privacy-policy/">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-P2QTGCR" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <header data-directive="j-topnav" id="header" > <div id="sticky-nav"> <div class="burger-wrapper"> <div id="hamburger" data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header" data-gtm-label="Hamburger" class="hamburger"> <div class="inner-ham" style="pointer-events:none"> <span class="lns ln2-1" style="pointer-events:none"></span> <span class="lns ln2-2" style="pointer-events:none"></span> </div> </div> <div id="header-nav"> <div class="inner-wrapper"> <div class="logo-wrapper"> <a href="/" title="Justia" class="logo"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header" data-gtm-label="Logo" src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/branding/logos/sites/justia.svg" alt="Justia"> </a> </div> <div class="buttons-wrapper"> <div class="topnav-button search-icon" id="search-icon-button"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/white/search.svg" alt="search" width="22" height="22"/> </div> <div class="topnav-button sign-in-icon" id="sign-in-icon-button"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/white/profile.svg" alt="My Account" width="20" height="20"> </div> <div id="accounts-buttons-wrapper"> <span class="topnav-button login-buttons" id="login-buttons-wrapper"> <span class="login-buttons-wrapper"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Account" data-gtm-label="Log In" data-directive="j-login" href="https://accounts.justia.com/signin?destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justia.com%2Fintellectual-property%2Ftrademarks%2F" class="login">Log In</a> <a href="https://accounts.justia.com/" class="sign-up">Sign Up</a> </span> </span> </div> <div id="search-form-wrapper"> <form action="/search" method="get" class="search-form jform" id="search-form"> <div class="input-wrapper"> <input type="text" name="query" value="" id="querybox" title="Search" placeholder="Search"> </div> <button type="submit"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/search.svg" alt="search" width="22" height="22"/> </button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="subnavigation"> <div class="subnavigation-wrapper"> <ul> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Find a Lawyer" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers">Find a Lawyer</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Ask a Lawyer" href="https://answers.justia.com/">Ask a Lawyer </a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Research the Law" href="https://www.justia.com/">Research the Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Law Schools" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">Law Schools</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Laws & Regs" href="https://law.justia.com/">Laws & Regs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Newsletters" href="https://connect.justia.com/case-law-summary-newsletters">Newsletters</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">Marketing Solutions</a> <div class="sublist"> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Connect" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/">Justia Connect</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Pro Membership" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/#pro-membership">Pro Membership</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Basic Membership" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/#basic-membership">Basic Membership</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Lawyer Directory" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/">Justia Lawyer Directory</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Platinum Placements" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/platinum/">Platinum Placements</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Gold Placements" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/gold/">Gold Placements</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Elevate" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/">Justia Elevate</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="SEO" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/search-engine-optimization/">SEO</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Websites & LSA Management" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/law-firm-websites/">Websites</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Blogs" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/law-blogs/">Blogs</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Amplify" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/">Justia Amplify</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="PPC Management" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/cpc-ppc/">PPC Management</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Google Business Profile" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/google-business-profile/">Google Business Profile</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Social Media" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/social-media-networking/">Social Media</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sublist-section"> <ul> <li class="sublist-section-title"><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Header Navigation" data-gtm-label="Justia Onward Blog" href="https://onward.justia.com/">Justia Onward Blog</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div id="main-content" class="main-content font-opensans has-topnav-padding"> <nav class="breadcrumbs small-font font-helvetica"> <a href="/">Justia</a> <span class="breadcrumb-separator"></span> <a href="/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property Law Center </a> <span class="breadcrumb-separator"></span> Trademark Law </nav> <div class="primary-content-wrapper"> <div class="primary-content"> <div class="wrapper has-padding-content-block-x2large has-no-top-padding blocks clearfix"> <div class="title-wrapper"> <h1 class="heading-1 has-margin-top-10">Trademark Law </h1> </div> <div class="content-links -semibold content-headings -large-gap"> <div class="set-maxlimit -max-landscape-tablet to-large-font"> <p> Trademarks are a type of intellectual property that is used to identify and distinguish one source of goods from another, and make it easier for a consumer to quickly discern who has produced a particular product or object. Both federal and state laws protect trademarks, but federal protection has expanded over the last century, preempting much of state common law. The primary law related to trademarks is federal: the Lanham Act. Federal trademark law is derived from the Constitution’s Commerce Clause. </p> <p> Trademarks are usually words, phrases, symbols, designs, or a combination of these. A consumer can quickly look at a shoe and, rather than carefully read a product sheet to figure out who produced the shoes, see a “swoosh” symbol and understand this to mean that Nike, not one of its competitors, produced the shoe. </p> <div class="block -boxed -with-icon to-normal-font -white-bg"> <div class="block-wrapper has-no-top-margin internal-icon-wrapper"> <div class="icon-wrapper"> <svg class="jicon -large -fill-blue" role="img" title="Information" alt="Information" viewBox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/round-simple-icons-sprite.svg#information"></use> </svg> </div> <p class="text"><strong>Trademark</strong> = a word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination thereof that identifies a specific company’s goods or services in the market</p> </div> </div> <p> In some cases, trademark protection extends beyond words, symbols, or phrases to include another physical aspect of a property, such as its unique shape or color. Such features can be trademarked as “<a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trade-dress/">trade dress</a>.” They can only be protected if consumers associate the feature with a specific manufacturer and not with that product in general. A manufacturer cannot receive trade dress protection for a feature that gives its products a functional competitive advantage. For example, a feature that makes an object easier to hold is a functional advantage. </p> <p> The mark used as your business’ trademark needs to be distinctive to be owned. There are four classes of mark with different requirements and varying degrees of legal protection: arbitrary or fanciful marks, suggestive marks, descriptive marks, and generic marks. </p> <h2 class="heading-3"> How to Get the Benefit of Trademark Protection </h2> <p> If your trademark qualifies for protection, you can obtain rights to the trademark either by being the first person to use the mark in commerce or by being the first to register the mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). </p> <p> Using a mark in “commerce” usually means that you have sold a product to the member of the public with the mark attached to it. If you are the first to do this, you will have priority to use the mark in the geographic area where the sales take place as well as geographic areas where your business would be expected to expand or where the reputation of your mark is established. There is a variation for descriptive marks, which can only be trademarks or be registered after they acquire secondary meaning. </p> <p> Registering the mark with the USPTO with the bona fide intent of using it in commerce also allows you to acquire priority in the trademark. Registering gives these advantages: notice to the public that the person or entity that registered has ownership of the mark, a legal presumption of ownership of the mark, and the exclusive right to use the mark in connection with goods or services. </p> <p> You will be able to use a <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/registration/">registered trademark</a> around the country, even if you are selling in a small area. However, you will not be able to use it in geographic areas where it is already being used by other individuals or businesses engaged in commerce. </p> <div class="block -boxed -with-icon to-normal-font "> <header class="block-header bg-justia-blue"> <svg class="jicon -large -fill-white" role="img" title="Information" alt="Information" viewBox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/round-simple-icons-sprite.svg#information"></use> </svg> <span class="heading-3 has-no-margin color-white">Trademark Laws and Forms: 50-State Survey</span> </header> <div class="block-wrapper has-no-top-margin"> <p class="text">Justia provides a comprehensive <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-forms-50-state-federal-resources/">50-state survey</a> on trademark laws and forms, including the effective term for registration and associated fees.</p> </div> </div> <h2 class="heading-3"> The Loss of Trademark Rights </h2> <p> Trademark owners usually need to keep close watch over their marks in order to make sure the rights are not infringed, diluted, or lost. You can lose a trademark in a variety of ways. </p> <p> You can lose a mark through abandonment. A mark will be considered abandoned if you stop using it for three consecutive years and you have no intent to resume its use. </p> <p> You can also lose a mark through improper licensing or improper assignment. Trademarks can also be lost if you license a trademark without specifying adequate control or supervision, or if you assign a trademark to someone else without also selling that person or entity the corresponding assets. </p> <p> Some trademarks become generic as time passes. This means that most members of the public think the word means a type of product, rather than a product from a specific manufacturer. Trademarks that become generic in this way are lost due to “genericity.” For example, “aspirin” became generic over time. </p> <p class="color-dove-gray"> <time datetime="2024-10-13" pubdate> <em> Last reviewed October 2024 </em> </time> </p> </div> <div class="-show-desktop"> <p data-directive="j-expand" class="heading-3 expand-v2 cursor-pointer -display-block -expanded" data-collapsed_class="hidden" data-expanded_class="-expanded" data-section="mobile-navigation-list"> Intellectual Property Law Center Contents <span>   <svg class="down-arrow -fill-blue jicon -medium" role="img" title="Mobile Navigation" viewBox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/simple-icons-sprite.svg#down"></use> </svg> </span> </p> <div id="mobile-navigation-list" class="-collapsed -expanded"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-no-left-padding has-no-bottom-margin"> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property Law Center </a> <ul class=""> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/patents/">Patent Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/copyright/">Copyright Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="#" class="color-black">Trademark Law </a> <ul class=""> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/categories-of-marks/">Trademarks, Service Marks, and Related Legal Terms </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/cybersquatting/">Cybersquatting Involving Trademarks and Service Marks</a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/infringement/">Trademark Infringement & Related Legal Claims </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/strength-of-marks/">Strength of Trademarks and Service Marks</a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trade-dress/">Trade Dress Under the Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trade-name/">Trade Names Under the Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-dilution/">Trademark Dilution Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/enforcement/">Enforcing Trademark Rights Through Lawsuits & Other Strategies </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/registration/">Trademark Registration Under the Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-classes/">Trademark Classes Defined by Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-search/">How a Trademark Search Can Protect Your Legal Interests </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/unregistered-trademarks/">Unregistered Trademarks Under Federal and State Laws </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/naked-licenses/">Naked Licenses of Trademarks to Unmonitored Licensees</a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-forms-50-state-federal-resources/">Trademark Legal Forms: 50-State Survey </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/">Trade Secret Law </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/choosing-among-patent-copyright-and-trademark/">Choosing Among Patent, Copyright, and Trademark for Legal Protection </a> </li> <li> <a href="/intellectual-property/faqs/">Intellectual Property Law FAQs </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/trademarks/"> Find a Trademarks Lawyer </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="-show-desktop"> <p data-directive="j-expand" class="heading-3 expand-v2 cursor-pointer -display-block -expanded" data-collapsed_class="hidden" data-expanded_class="-expanded" data-section="mobile-navigation-list-2"> Related Areas <span>   <svg class="down-arrow -fill-blue jicon -medium" role="img" title="Mobile Navigation" viewbox="0 0 270 270"> <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" href="/justatic/shared/images/icons/simple-icons-sprite.svg#down"></use> </svg> </span> </p> <div id="mobile-navigation-list-2" class="-collapsed -expanded"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-no-left-padding has-no-bottom-margin"> <li> <a href="/business-operations/">Small Business Legal Center</a> </li> <li> <a href="/entertainment-law/">Entertainment Law Center </a> </li> <li> <a href="/communications-internet/">Communications and Internet Law Center </a> </li> <li> <a href="/sports-law/">Sports Law Center </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sidebar primary-sidebar"> <ul class="list-no-styles has-margin-bottom-20 list-group -hide-desktop"> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property Law Center </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/patents/">Patent Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/copyright/">Copyright Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item active -as-navigation list-group-item-active"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/">Trademark Law </a></div> <div class="-expanded"> <ul class="list-no-styles"> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/categories-of-marks/">Trademarks, Service Marks, and Related Legal Terms </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/cybersquatting/">Cybersquatting Involving Trademarks and Service Marks</a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/infringement/">Trademark Infringement & Related Legal Claims </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/strength-of-marks/">Strength of Trademarks and Service Marks</a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trade-dress/">Trade Dress Under the Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trade-name/">Trade Names Under the Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-dilution/">Trademark Dilution Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/enforcement/">Enforcing Trademark Rights Through Lawsuits & Other Strategies </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/registration/">Trademark Registration Under the Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-classes/">Trademark Classes Defined by Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-search/">How a Trademark Search Can Protect Your Legal Interests </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/unregistered-trademarks/">Unregistered Trademarks Under Federal and State Laws </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/naked-licenses/">Naked Licenses of Trademarks to Unmonitored Licensees</a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-forms-50-state-federal-resources/">Trademark Legal Forms: 50-State Survey </a></div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/trade-secrets/">Trade Secret Law </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/choosing-among-patent-copyright-and-trademark/">Choosing Among Patent, Copyright, and Trademark for Legal Protection </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/intellectual-property/faqs/">Intellectual Property Law FAQs </a></div> </li> <li class="list-group-item"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/trademarks/"> Find a Trademarks Lawyer </a> </div> </li> </ul> <ul class="list-no-styles has-margin-bottom-20 list-group -hide-desktop"> <li class="list-group-item -title"> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="color-black">Related Areas</a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/business-operations/">Small Business Legal Center</a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/entertainment-law/">Entertainment Law Center </a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/communications-internet/">Communications and Internet Law Center </a> </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item -as-navigation"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/sports-law/">Sports Law Center </a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="large-gap-stripe -with-title" data-directive="j-find-a-lawyer" data-layout="carousel" data-limit="7" data-practice="trademarks" data-display-tooltip="true" > </div> <div id="footer" class="-v2 short bg-alabaster color-black"> <div class="wrapper has-no-padding"> <div class="resources font-opensans has-padding-content-block-x2large clearfix"> <div class="section-title"> Justia Legal Resources </div> <div class="columns"> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Find a Lawyer" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers">Find a Lawyer</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-01"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-01" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Bankruptcy Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/bankruptcy">Bankruptcy Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/business-law">Business Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Criminal Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/criminal-law">Criminal Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Employment Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/employment-law">Employment Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Estate Planning Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/estate-planning">Estate Planning Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Family Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/family-law">Family Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Personal Injury Lawyers" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers/personal-injury">Personal Injury Lawyers</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Find a Lawyer - More" href="https://www.justia.com/lawyers">More... </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Individuals" href="https://www.justia.com/individuals/">Individuals</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-02"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-02" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Bankruptcy" href="https://www.justia.com/bankruptcy/">Bankruptcy</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Criminal" href="https://www.justia.com/criminal/">Criminal</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Divorce" href="https://www.justia.com/family/divorce/">Divorce</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="DUI" href="https://www.justia.com/criminal/drunk-driving-dui-dwi/">DUI</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Estate Planning" href="https://www.justia.com/estate-planning/">Estate Planning</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Family Law" href="https://www.justia.com/family/">Family Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Personal Injury" href="https://www.justia.com/injury/">Personal Injury</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Individuals - More" href="https://www.justia.com/individuals/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business" href="https://www.justia.com/business/">Business</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-03"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-03" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Formation" href="https://www.justia.com/business-operations/starting-your-own-business/">Business Formation</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Operations" href="https://www.justia.com/business-operations/">Business Operations</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Employment" href="https://www.justia.com/employment/">Employment</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Intellectual Property" href="https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/">Intellectual Property</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="International Trade" href="https://www.justia.com/international-law/international-trade-law/">International Trade</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Real Estate" href="https://www.justia.com/business-operations/commercial-real-estate-the-law/">Real Estate</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Tax Law" href="https://www.justia.com/tax/">Tax Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business - More" href="https://www.justia.com/business/">More... </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Schools" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">Law Schools</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-04"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-04" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Schools" href="https://dictionary.justia.com/">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Admissions" href="https://www.justia.com/law-students/">Admissions</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Financial Aid" href="https://www.justia.com/law-students/">Financial Aid</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Course Outlines" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/outlines/">Course Outlines</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Journals" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">Law Journals</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Blogs" href="https://blawgsearch.justia.com/blogs/categories/law-student">Blogs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Employment" href="https://www.justia.jobs/jobs/summer-associate-legal-internship/">Employment</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Law Schools - More" href="https://www.justia.com/law-schools/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Federal Law" href="https://law.justia.com/us/">US Federal Law</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-05"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-05" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Constitution" href="https://law.justia.com/constitution/us/">US Constitution</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Code" href="https://law.justia.com/codes/us">US Code</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Regulations" href="https://regulations.justia.com/">Regulations</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Supreme Court" href="https://supreme.justia.com/">Supreme Court</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Circuit Courts" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/">Circuit Courts</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="District Courts" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/">District Courts</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Dockets & Filings" href="https://dockets.justia.com/">Dockets & Filings</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US Federal Law - More" href="https://law.justia.com/us/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US State Law" href="https://law.justia.com/us-states/">US State Law</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-06"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-06" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="State Constitutions" href="https://law.justia.com/us-states/">State Constitutions</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="State Codes" href="https://law.justia.com/codes/">State Codes</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="State Case Law" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/">State Case Law</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="California" href="https://law.justia.com/california/">California</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Florida" href="https://law.justia.com/florida/">Florida</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="New York" href="https://law.justia.com/new-york/">New York</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Texas" href="https://law.justia.com/texas/">Texas</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="US State Law - More" href="https://law.justia.com/us-states/">More... </a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Other Databases" href="https://www.justia.com/">Other Databases</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-07"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-07" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Legal Jobs" href="https://www.justia.jobs/">Legal Jobs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Legal Blogs" href="https://blawgsearch.justia.com/">Legal Blogs</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Business Forms" href="https://contracts.justia.com/">Business Forms</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Product Recalls" href="https://recalls.justia.com/">Product Recalls</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Patents" href="https://patents.justia.com/">Patents</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Trademarks" href="https://trademarks.justia.com/">Trademarks</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Countries" href="https://www.justia.com/countries/">Countries</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Other Databases - More" href="https://www.justia.com/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="footer-block"> <div class="title"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">Marketing Solutions</a> <span class="expand" data-directive="j-expand" data-section="footer-08"> <img src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/images/icons/svgfiles/blue/down.svg" alt="Arrow" /> </span> </div> <ul id="footer-08" class="footer-list -collapsed"> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Connect Membership" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/connect/">Justia Connect Membership</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Lawyer Directory" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/">Justia Lawyer Directory</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Premium Placements" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/lawyer-directory/#premium-placements">Justia Premium Placements</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Elevate" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/elevate/">Justia Elevate (SEO, Websites)</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Amplify" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/amplify/">Justia Amplify (PPC, GBP)</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Justia Onward Blog" href="https://onward.justia.com/">Justia Onward Blog</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Testimonials" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/testimonials/">Testimonials</a></li> <li><a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer Resources" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions - More" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">More...</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bg-justia-blue"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="copyright"> <span class="site"> <span class="social-media"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justia" title="Facebook" target="_blank" class="fb icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - Facebook" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/facebook.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="Facebook"> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/justiacom" title="Twitter" target="_blank" class="twitter icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - Twitter" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/twitter.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="Twitter"> </a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/justia" title="LinkedIn" target="_blank" class="linkedin icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - LinkedIn" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/linkedin.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="LinkedIn"> </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/justia" title="YouTube" target="_blank" class="youtube icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - YouTube" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/youtube.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="YouTube" /> </a> <a href="https://lawyers.justia.com/organization/justia-inc-16302" title="Justia Lawyer Directory" class="justia icon"> <img data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Social Media - Justia Lawyer Directory" src="https://lawyers.justia.com/s/justia.svg" width="50" height="50" alt="Justia"> </a> </span> <span class="credits"> © 2024 <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Copyright" href="https://www.justia.com/">Justia</a> </span> </span> <span class="nav"> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Justia Connect" href="https://connect.justia.com/">Justia Connect</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Legal Portal" href="https://www.justia.com/">Legal Portal</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Company" href="https://company.justia.com/">Company</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Help" href="https://support.justia.com/">Help</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Terms of Service" href="https://www.justia.com/terms-of-service/">Terms of Service</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Privacy Policy" href="https://www.justia.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a> <a data-gtm-type="click" data-gtm-category="Navigation" data-gtm-action="Footer" data-gtm-label="Marketing Solutions" class="nowrap" href="https://www.justia.com/marketing/">Marketing Solutions</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script async defer src="https://justatic.com/v/20241127120445/shared/js/core.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Trademark Law | Intellectual Property Law Center | Justia