Introduction
Federal trademark registration provides the protection of the U.S. government for any word, name, symbol, design or device or any combination used to identify and distinguish the goods or services of the trademark owner over those of others. A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes a service rather than a product.
The term "mark" or simply "trademark" is generally used and refers to all categories of trademarks and service marks.
Trademarks identify and distinguish a product or service from that of its competitors. Distinctive words, letters, numbers, sounds, logos, design, packaging, slogans, phrases, characters, packaging and other non-functional features can be protected as trademarks.
An Internet domain name may - or may not - be registered as a trademark and may - or may not -provide you with legal rights as to its use in the marketplace.
Please use this Trademark Guide we have provided to familiarize yourself with how trademark protection can help you protect your domain name and other intellectual property and find out more about how the expert team at DirectLegal can help you begin your application today.
By using DirectLegal.com you'll benefit from a quick, easy-to-use online application and highly professional service. You can be confident that the entire application process will be handled smoothly, accurately and to the highest professional standards.
- Introduction
- Domain Names as Trademarks
- When is a Domain Name a Trademark?
- Forget the ".com"
- Distinctiveness
- Identify Your Products and Services
- What Trademarks Protect
- Benefits of Trademark Registration
- If You Don't Register
- Acquiring Trademark Rights
- Use in Commerce
- Intent to Use
- Trademark Search
- Why Trademark Search
- Electronic Filing
- Registration Refusal
- Post-Registration
- Trademark Infringement
- Cybersquatting
- Non-Infringing Use

