Types of Trademarks: Beyond the Name and Logo

Word, composite, figurative, color, three-dimensional, or sound. Choosing the right type of registration changes the actual scope of your protection.

When we think of a "trademark," we almost always think of a name or a logo. But trademark registration encompasses many more forms than most people imagine. 🔤 Word Mark: text only, without design (the most common type, and often the one that provides the broadest protection because it covers the name in any font or color). 🎨 Composite Mark: combines text and graphic elements (a logo with the name integrated). 🖼️ Figurative Mark: graphic element only, without text (a symbol, an icon). 🎨 Color, Three-Dimensional, or Sound Mark: yes, they exist. A specific color associated with a brand, the shape of packaging, or even a sound can be registered if they meet distinctiveness requirements. Choosing the correct type (or combining several) significantly alters the actual scope of your protection. Registering only the logo when what people recognize is the name, for example, is a common mistake. Did you know that sound or color trademarks could be registered?