what is a trademark

what is a trademark

A trademark is literally a ¡°mark¡± that one business uses to distinguish its products or services from another. This trademark definition from the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) is more detailed:

¡°A trade-mark is a word, design, number, two-dimensional or three-dimensional form, sound or color, or a combination of two or more of these elements which a trader uses to distinguish his/her products or services from those of his/her competitors and serves to establish goodwill with the consumer.¡±

A trademark is not a trade name. A trade name is the name under which you conduct your business. It can only be registered under the Trade-Marks Act if it is used to identify wares or services.