What is trademark dilution?

Trademark dilution is a legal concept in Intellectual Property Law found in many states, including Pennsylvania. It occurs when a trademark (an identification of a brand or business) is used in a way that weakens or harms its value in the marketplace. This usually happens when someone else uses your trademark without your permission in a way that blurs or tarnishes the image of your brand or business. For example, if someone used your brand name to advertise a product or service that was not related to your business, this would be considered trademark dilution. It is important to know and understand trademark dilution because without the protection of trademark law, someone else could use your brand name in a way that could be damaging to your business. It is also important to be aware of the legal options available to you if someone does commit trademark dilution. You could take them to court to protect your brand, but this is an expensive and time-consuming process. Therefore, it is important to understand and act on it if you believe your trademark is being diluted.

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