Trademark FAQs - related questions & answers

Question: What is the difference between a Trade Name and a Trademark?

Answer:
Trade Name means a word or name, or any combination of a word or name, used by a person to identify the person's business which: - is not, or does not include, the true and real name of all persons conducting the business; - is something other than the legal name filed with the Secretary of State's Office; - shall not include Inc, LLC, Corp., Co, LTD or similar legal endings; - may includes words which suggest additional parties of interest such as "company," "and sons," or "and associates." The use of a Trade Name is not exclusive. For more information on Trade Names, please check with the Department of Licensing.

Question: Do I have to register my trademark?

Answer:
No, but federal registration has several advantages, including notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark, a legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and the exclusive right to use.

Question: What is a common law search? How can I do one?

Answer:
A common law search involves searching records other than the federal register and pending application records. It may involve checking phone directories, yellow pages, industrial directories, state trademark registers.
 

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