Legal Definitions - pure trademark

Definition: A pure trademark is a word, phrase, logo, or symbol used by a manufacturer or seller to distinguish its product or products from those of others. The main purpose of a trademark is to designate the source of goods or services. To receive federal protection, a trademark must be distinctive, affixed to a product that is actually sold in the marketplace, and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Unregistered trademarks are protected under common-law only, and distinguished with the mark “TM.”

Example: Nike's "swoosh" logo is a pure trademark that distinguishes its products from those of other athletic apparel companies. The logo is distinctive and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, giving Nike legal protection against others using a similar logo to sell their products.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a pure trademark, in this case, Nike's "swoosh" logo, is used to distinguish a company's products from those of its competitors. The logo is distinctive and registered, giving Nike legal protection against others using a similar logo to sell their products.