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A Few Trademark Grammar School Facts



  1. A trademark identifies, distinguishes, and indicates the origin of goods;
  2. A trademark should be searched and cleared before adoption and first use;
  3. A trademark needs a trademark attorney to take a position on availability;
  4. A trademark is one form of intellectual property;
  5. A trademark can be federally registered;
  6. A trademark is not a patent;
  7. A trademark is not a copyright;
  8. A trademark is not limited to distinctive words and symbols, but includes devices too.
  9. A trademark cannot be composed of functional subject matter.
  10. A trademark can offend.
  11. A trademark sometimes can be truncated.
  12. A trademark can cause a likelihood of confusion;
  13. A trademark can be infringed and even diluted (if famous);
  14. A trademark can be misused as the overreaching weapon of a trademark bully.
  15. A trademark that is suggestive is inherently better than a descriptive one.
  16. A trademark sometimes can become generic and available for anyone to use.
  17. A trademark is an adjective that modifies a noun, i.e., Rollerblade in-line skates.
  18. The word “trademark” has both noun and verb meanings (making some unhappy);
  19. Best to avoid the d-word when explaining the genesis of your trademark.
  20. Dated trademark advice is dangerous.

Could you graduate from trademark grammar school?

Your GPA? Any surprises here?