{"id":197,"date":"2016-12-03T16:37:45","date_gmt":"2016-12-03T16:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/keytoip.com\/?page_id=197"},"modified":"2016-12-11T19:40:54","modified_gmt":"2016-12-11T19:40:54","slug":"trademarks","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/trademarks\/","title":{"rendered":"Trademarks"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” padding_top=”57″ padding_bottom=”2″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Trademarks are Adjectives<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”298″ img_size=”medium” qode_css_animation=”element_from_left” transition_delay=”0.3″][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]You can think of Trademarks as adjectives. Think of the space in front of a noun. How would you describe sneakers?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n________ Sneakers<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

They could be light sneakers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Light<\/span>\u00a0Sneakers<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

They could be colorful sneakers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\nColorful<\/u>\u00a0Sneakers<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Or, they could be Nike sneakers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Nike<\/u>\u00a0Sneakers<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nike is a Trademark. It is used to distinguish the type of sneakers being sold. Just as you would use an adjective to describe a quality of an item, you can use a Trademark to describe the source <\/em>of that item.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]A Trademark gives you the right to keep others from using your adjective. Other companies can make light and colorful sneakers, but only <\/em>Nike can make Nike sneakers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This protection also applies to confusingly similar marks. So, not only does the Nike trademark keep others from making Nike sneakers, it keeps them from making Niike sneakers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\nNike<\/span><\/span>\nNiike<\/span><\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Specifically, a trademark is a word, name, symbol, or device that is used to indicate the source of goods or services and distinguish them from the goods or services of others.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”106″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”right” qode_css_animation=”element_from_right” transition_delay=”0.3″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”57″ padding_bottom=”2″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Trademarks v.\u00a0Servicemarks<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”262″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=”element_from_left” transition_delay=”0.3″][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Technically, Trademarks are for goods, while Servicemarks are for services. However, the term Trademark is generally used to refer to both Trademarks and Servicemarks. The term mark is short for both.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”274″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=”element_from_right” transition_delay=”0.3″][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” padding_top=”57″ padding_bottom=”2″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Word\u00a0v.\u00a0Stylized<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”259″ img_size=”medium” qode_css_animation=”element_from_left” transition_delay=”0.3″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Trademarks can be word marks or stylized marks. Word marks are merely text.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\nWord marks = text<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stylized marks have some type of decoration, or may just include the font used with text.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\nStylized marks =\u00a0text<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

For example, I could trademark the text \u201cKEY TO IP\u201d as a word mark and the logo \"key-to-ip-50px-height\"\u00a0as a stylized mark.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”57″ padding_bottom=”2″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Finding Your Ideal Trademark<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Clearing Your Mark<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”6″][vc_column_text]Once you find your ideal mark, you need to make sure no one else is already using it. You want to avoid a \u201clikelihood of confusion\u201d with other trademarks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A trademark search can be used to ensure that your mark doesn’t cause a likelihood of confusion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do we determine likelihood of confusion?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Similar marks<\/li>\n
  2. Related goods and services<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    So, two identical, or similar trademarks can co-exist as long as the goods and services are not related, such as Apple music company and Apple computers.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Apple<\/u> computer<\/p>\n

    Apple<\/u> record label[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

    Searching\u00a0Your Mark<\/h4>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”6″][vc_column_text]Here are several places to do a preliminary search for your mark:<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)<\/a><\/p>\n

    General Internet Search<\/a><\/p>\n

    Domain name search<\/a><\/p>\n

    Business Listings in Yelp<\/a><\/p>\n

    Business Listings in Yellow Pages<\/a><\/p>\n

    Facebook Search<\/a><\/p>\n

    Historical Website Search<\/a><\/p>\n

    Product Search<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

    Checking the Owners<\/h4>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”6″][vc_column_text]As you go through your search, you may find other products, companies, or slogans that look similar to your proposed mark.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    One consideration should be how similar these are to your proposed mark.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Another, more important consideration, should be who owns those similar marks. If a similar mark is owned by a Fortune 500 company, there is a much higher likelihood that these companies actively search for infringing marks.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Remember that if a Trademark isn’t enforced, there is a risk that it may become generic. In larger, more established companies, this may result in a longer legal battle, and extra expenses.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ padding_top=”57″ padding_bottom=”2″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

    Trademark Categories<\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center” down=”47″][vc_column_text]Trademarks\u00a0must be distinctive to be registered: consumers must be able to associate the trademark with goods or services from a particular source. Trademarks are divided into five classes as a way of judging whether the mark is distinctive.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” down=”47″][qode_icons_list_text number=”five”][qode_icon_list_text type=”text_type” line_between_circles=”with_line” text_in_circle=”01″ title=”Generic” text=”A category of goods. Not a registered trademark.”][qode_icon_list_text type=”text_type” line_between_circles=”with_line” icon_animation=”q_icon_list_animation” icon_animation_delay=”300″ text_in_circle=”02″ title=”Descriptive” text=”An ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose, or use. Generally not a registered trademark.”][qode_icon_list_text type=”text_type” line_between_circles=”with_line” icon_animation=”q_icon_list_animation” icon_animation_delay=”300″ text_in_circle=”03″ title=”Suggestive” text=”Invokes imagination, thought, or perception. Generally can be a registered trademark.”][qode_icon_list_text type=”text_type” line_between_circles=”with_line” icon_animation=”q_icon_list_animation” icon_animation_delay=”300″ text_in_circle=”04″ title=”Arbitrary” text=”A common word with a surprising context. Generally can be a registered trademark.”][qode_icon_list_text type=”text_type” line_between_circles=”with_line” icon_animation=”q_icon_list_animation” icon_animation_delay=”300″ text_in_circle=”05″ title=”Fanciful” text=”An invented word used to identify. Generally will be a registered trademark.”][\/qode_icons_list_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″ down=”34″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”content_menu” css=”.vc_custom_1480716897143{margin-top: 20px !important;border-top-width: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” anchor=”generic” in_content_menu=”in_content_menu” content_menu_title=”Generic” content_menu_icon=”” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″ down=”34″][vc_single_image image=”175″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center” up=”47″ down=”47″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” anchor=”descriptive” in_content_menu=”in_content_menu” content_menu_title=”Descriptive” content_menu_icon=”” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”173″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center” up=”47″ down=”47″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” anchor=”suggestive” in_content_menu=”in_content_menu” content_menu_title=”Suggestive” content_menu_icon=”” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”176″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center” up=”47″ down=”47″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” anchor=”arbitrary” in_content_menu=”in_content_menu” content_menu_title=”Arbitrary” content_menu_icon=”” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”172″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center” up=”47″ down=”47″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” anchor=”fanciful” in_content_menu=”in_content_menu” content_menu_title=”Fanciful” content_menu_icon=”” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”174″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center” up=”47″ down=”47″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    [vc_row row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” padding_top=”57″ padding_bottom=”2″ css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text] Trademarks are Adjectives [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” circle_position=”circle_center”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”298″ img_size=”medium” qode_css_animation=”element_from_left” transition_delay=”0.3″][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”34″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]You can think of Trademarks as adjectives. Think of the space in front of a noun. How would you describe…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full_width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":322,"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions\/322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/keytoip.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}