The following article is excerpted from West's Encyclopedia of American Law . Distinctive symbols of authenticity through which the products of particular manufacturers or the salable commodities of particular merchants can be distinguished from those of others. A trademark is a device, word or combination of words, or symbol that indicates the source or ownership of a product or service. In very limited cases, a shape or even a distinctive color can become a trademark.
People rely on trademarks to make informed decisions about the products they buy.
A trademark acts as a guarantee of the quality and origin of a particular good. A competing manufacturer may not use another company' s trademark. The owner of a trademark may challenge any use of the mark that infringes upon the owner's rights. The presence of trademark protection for the name or logo of a company or product is often indicated by the small symbol of an R in a circle placed near the trademark. The R means that the mark is a registered trademark and is a warning that the law prevents unauthorized use of it.