A trademark is a unique name, word, phrase, logo, symbol, design, image or a combination of these elements that uniquely identifies your product or service to your customers and distinguishes you from your competitors. By registering your trademark, you provide your company, your product and your services with government protection that are part of the benefits of trademark rights. With a registered trademark, your competitors will not be allowed to use a logo or name of the same likeness, or produce a product or offer services that are similar to yours. For example, Apple produces computer products with an Apple logo. Another company cannot use the apple, or something similar to an apple, to identify themselves within the same industry. Sometimes the benefits extend beyond industries as well.

Trademark is a very important part of your company. It differentiates your company from the rest that are in the same category or with those that have identical or almost the same name as your company. It also differentiates you from companies that bear a logo or company seal that represents your establishment. Nowadays, jingles are also used to uniquely distinguish a company.

With the introduction of the Internet, you can now make inquiries online by going to the website of the States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In this website, you can search for existing trademarks to make sure that the trademark you plan to use is unique and can distinguish you from other companies.