A trade-mark is a word, a symbol, a design, or a combination of these, used to distinguish the wares or services of one person or organization from those of others in the marketplace. Trade-marks come to represent not only actual wares and services, but the reputation of the producer. As such, they are considered valuable intellectual property. A registered trade-mark can be protected through legal proceedings from misuse and imitation. Ordinary marks are words or symbols that distinguish the wares or services of a specific firm or individual.
Certification marks identify wares or services which meet a defined standard.
They are owned by one person but licensed to others to identify wares or services which meet a defined standard. Distinguishing guise identifies the unique shape of a product or its package. Other forms of intellectual property People occasionally confuse trade-marks with copyright, industrial designs, patents and integrated circuit topographies. These are rights granted for intellectual creativity and are also forms of intellectual property. Trade name vs. trade-mark A trade name is the name under which you conduct your business, whether it be your own name, or the name of a corporation or a partnership or a name adopted for a segment of that business, i.e. a division of a company.