What Exactly is a Trademark?

A trademark is an individualized mark of a company that allows for the recognition of that company among consumers. A trademark can be a name, a word, a symbol, a sound, among many other things. Since trademarks distinguish one business from another, they must be legally protected so that they cannot be used by another company.

Unfortunately when people do not fully understand the legal protections placed on trademarks, trademarks are subjected to infringement and other illegal actions. The Dallas attorneys of Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., understand the important role that trademarks play in a company’s identity, and we work to help businesses when the protection placed on their trademark has been violated.

Applications for Trademarks

A business does not have to have a trademark registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to have rights to that trademark. In fact, the rights for a trademark depend solely on how a company uses it; in commerce, a trademark is protected. However, there are formal federal trademark protections, these include:

• Use-based trademarks
• Intent-to-use trademarks

A use-based trademark refers to a trademark in use across the U.S., while intent-to-use signifies the intent to use the trademark in the future.

Contact a Trademark Attorney in Dallas

If you or someone you know is interested in knowing more about trademarks, and trademark protection, then the Dallas attorneys of Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., can give you more information regarding the legal aspects of trademarks. Contact our offices today by calling (214) 824-1414 to discuss registration, applications, and other options for protecting your trademark.