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Intellectual Property Information Trademarks

 

What is a Trademark?
U.S. Trademarks
International Trademarks
Researching Trademark Issues
Searching for Trademarks

 


What is a Trademark?

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination of these that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. The mark appears on the product or its packaging. Sometimes a trademark may be referred to as a "brand name".

A service mark is the same as a trademark except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product; a service mark appears in the advertising for the service.

A trade name is the formal name of a business. A business may use all or part of its trade name as a mark on its products or services.

 

 


U.S. Trademarks

 

Trademark Agencies

Agencies at both the federal and state levels are responsible for trademarks in the U.S.

  • If the trademark is used (or is intented to be used) in interstate commerce or in commerce between the U.S. and a foreign country, it may be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Trademarks used solely in local commerce within Arizona, are registered with the Arizona Secretary of State. Trade names are not registered at the federal level.

    Agency: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
    Location: Crystal City complex
    Arlington VA
    Mailing Address: General Information Services Division
    U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
    Crystal Plaza 3, Room 2C02
    Washington, DC 20231

    For detailed contact information see:
    http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/feedback.html

    E-mail: usptoinfo@uspto.gov (Subject line must read: Trademarks)
    Web Site: http://www.uspto.gov
    Phone: 1-800-PTO-9199
    Hours: M-F 8am-5pm ET (Offices)
    M-F 8am-8pm ET (Phone Helpline)


  • If the trademark is used in commerce within Arizona, it may be registered with the Arizona Secretary of State.

    Agency: Arizona Secretary of State
    Locations: Phoenix Customer Service Center
    14 N. 18th Ave.
    (Just across 18th Ave. from the State Capitol Executive Tower)
    Phoenix AZ 85007
    Mailing Address: Secretary of State
    1700 W. Washington St.
    7th Floor
    Phoenix AZ 85007-2888
    E-mail: http://www.azsos.gov/info/contact_us.htm
    Web Site: http://www.azsos.gov
    Phone: (602) 542-6187 (Phoenix)
    (520) 628-6583 (Tucson)
    Hours: M-F 8am - 5pm MST


Registration and Fees

 

Trademark Law

  • Federal (U.S.) Law
    http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/tmlaw2.html
    Contains both Rules of Practice and Federal Statutes.

  • Arizona State Law
    http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp?Title=44
    Scroll down to Chapter 10 (Competition and Competitive Practices), Article 3 (Registration and Protection of Trademarks and Service Marks)

For More Information



International Trademarks

Each country has its own laws on trademarks. See the following web sites to find the Intellectual Property Offices of different countries.

The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks provides a means for citizens of member countries to file one application for trademark protection in many countries; the U.S. is a member.

For more information:

 

Researching Trademark Issues

To find materials about trademark issues use the following databases:

 

Searching for Trademarks

U.S.

International

  • Searching for Trademarks (coming soon)