Legal Definitions - true mark

A true mark is a type of trademark 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.

For example, the Nike "swoosh" logo is a true mark that distinguishes Nike's products from those of other companies. Another example is the McDonald's golden arches logo, which distinguishes McDonald's products from those of other fast-food chains.