What types of trademarks can I register?
In South Carolina, you can register several types of trademarks. Trademarks are words, phrases, symbols, or designs that distinguish a product or service from others in the marketplace. The most common type of trademark is called a word mark. Word marks are created by taking a word or phrase and using it to identify a product or service. Examples of well-known word marks include “Coca-Cola,” “YouTube,” and “Twitter.” Another type of trademark is called a design mark. Design marks are artwork or logo designs that represent a product or service. Examples of famous design marks include the Nike swoosh, the Apple logo, and the McDonald’s golden arches. You can also register a combination mark, which is a combination of a word mark and a design mark that is used to identify a product or service. The combination of the Apple logo and the word “iPhone” is an example of a combination mark. You can also register a sound mark, which is a sound that identifies a product or service. Examples of sound marks are the “Intel Inside” jingle and the NBC chimes. Finally, you can register a scent mark, which is a scent that identifies a product or service. An example of a scent mark is the scent of Play-Doh, which was registered as a trademark in 2004. When registering a trademark, it is important to make sure that it is not already being used by another company or business. You can search for existing trademarks in the USPTO database. If you have any questions, it is recommended that you contact a lawyer who specializes in trademark law.
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