Can short phrases be trademarked?

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, [email protected] or see Circular 33, for further information.

Can single words be trademarked?

This involves registering a single word as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). A trademark is a word, phrase, sign, symbol, or logo used to identify a product’s owner. Trademarks give exclusive rights to a person or company to use a specific mark within an industry.

What sayings are trademarked?

We take a look at other famous phrases that were claimed as trademarks.

• ‘That’s hot’
• ‘Things fall apart’
• ‘You cannot be serious’
• ‘This sick beat’
• ‘I pity the fool’
• ‘You’re fired’

What words are trademarked?

50 Everyday Words That Actually Started as Brand Names/Trademarks

• Onesie: A trademark still owned and “aggressively enforced” by Gerber Childswear (yes, the same Gerber that makes baby food).
• Kiwi fruit (Kiwi):
• Zipper:
• Windbreaker:
• Jet Ski:
• Escalator:
• Tabloid:
• Hula Hoop:

What phrases are trademarked?

What phrases are not trademarked?

If certain words or phrases fail to distinguish the source of goods/services from those of another, then such wording would be incapable of trademark registration.

• Critical Inquiry.
• Merely conveying information about goods/services.
• Widely used messages.
• Direct religious quotes, passages, citations.

How do I get a trademark for a phrase?

Visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) online at USPTO.gov and search their Trademark Electronic Search System, or TESS, for phrases that are identical or similar to the one you want to trademark. You can apply online using the U.S. trademark office Trademark Electronic Application System.

What should I look for when buying a trademark?

Check for registered trademark phrases. A patent protects an invention. Short phrases have the innovative quality that trademark law protects when they become connected with a specific brand.

Can I trademark a phrase to prevent other companies from using it?

To prevent other companies from using your phrase, you need to know how to trademark a phrase. Find out what kind of trademark protection is available for phrases, including catchphrases, slogans, taglines, and mottos. Trademarks can be protected in several ways. There is what’s called “common law” trademark protection.

How do I find a private trademark search firm?

Private trademark search firms will conduct searches for a fee. The USPTO cannot aid in the selection of a search firm or an attorney. Search firms are often listed in the yellow page section of telephone directories under the heading “Trademark Search Services” or “Patent and Trademark Search Services.”