Legal Definitions - hybrid trademark

A hybrid trademark is a type of composite trademark that is made up of several words or symbols that form a distinctive whole, even if the individual words or symbols are ordinary. For example, the trademark "Microsoft Windows" is a hybrid trademark because it combines two ordinary words to create a distinctive whole.

Hybrid trademarks are often used as advertising slogans and are protectable under trademark law. However, the trademark registrant must disclaim ownership in any unregistrable parts of the mark.

Other examples of hybrid trademarks include "Coca-Cola," "Pepsi-Cola," and "McDonald's Big Mac." These trademarks combine ordinary words to create a distinctive whole that identifies the source of the product or service.