Helpful Information / Articles: Trademarks - Overview
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There are four types of marks that may be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office: a trademark, a service mark, a certification mark, and a collective mark. These marks are generally used to distinguish certain goods or services from other similar goods or services. A trademark is a word, name, symbol, design, or phrase or some combination that is used to identify and distinguish goods. A service mark is essentially the same as a trademark, but is used to identify and distinguish services rather than goods. A certification mark is used to certify that the goods or services of others have certain characteristics. And a collective mark is used to indicate that the producer of goods or services is a member of a particular organization. The rules and procedures for registering certification marks and collective marks are different than that for trademarks and service marks, and will not be considered further. Trade dress and trade names may, in some circumstances, be registered as a trademark or service mark. The following description applies equally to trademarks and to service marks.

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