Are Trademark and Brand Name two sides of the same coin?

Importance of Trademarks and Brand Names for Your Business:

Understanding the Differences Between a Brand & a Trademark

If you own a business, you have probably heard of the terms “brand” and “trademark.” While these words are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. In this post, we will discuss the differences between a brand and a trademark, as well as the importance of each.

First, let’s define what brands and trademarks are. A ‘brand’ is a collection of features and elements that create a company’s identity in association with certain product(s) or service(s) that helps create brand value of the entity. This includes the brand name, logo, image, goodwill, personality, culture, and reputation.

On the other hand, a Trademark is defined in the Trademark Act, 1999 as, “a mark capable of being represented graphically and which is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from those of others and may include the shape of goods, their packaging and combination of colors.” A trademark is the intellectual property of a business. A trademark can be a visual symbol, logo, design, word, slogan, tagline, jingle or combination of these elements, created in relation to a particular brand. It differentiates a company’s products and services from competitors in the market.

Similarly, a brand name is the primary name of a company under which the company markets and sells its products or services, while a trademark is a representation in the form of logo or symbol or word or their combination for that brand name. A registered trademark allows a company to take legal action against those who copy or use the brand name or such trademark without permission in relation to the same goods or services. Trademarks often act as a distinguisher between two brands with similar names.

Registration of a trade mark is not mandatory, however, it is also not an inherent right available to the creator like is the case in copyright. Hence, it is important to protect your brand and intellectual property from infringement and misuse in the market and to secure your trademark’s creation, by opting for trademark registration. A registered trademark creates a niche in the industry, thus safeguarding your brand value and maintaining your position in the market. It also helps customers identify fraudsters trying to dupe them by using your mark. A brand value is one of the most important criteria that hold a company together and continuous usage of a certain trademark in relation to one’s brand helps build that brand value.

In summary, while brand and trademark are closely linked, they are separate concepts. A brand creates awareness and trust in a company, while a trademark provides a symbolic or graphic representation, and protection if it is registered to prevent theft or misuse of intellectual property.

FAQ’s

Q: What are examples of trademarks and brand names?

A: Some examples of trademarks include the Nike swoosh, the Apple logo, and the McDonald’s golden arches of ‘M’, or Coca-Cola in its unique italics font. Brand names include Coca-Cola, Google, and Amazon.

Q: What is the difference between brand, trademark, and copyright?

A: A brand is a collection of features that create a company’s identity, including the brand name, logo, image, personality, culture, and reputation. A trademark is a mark symbolizing that brand of a company and constitutes as its intellectual property, such as symbols, graphic representation, logos, designs, words, slogans or colors or combination. Copyright protects original works of authorship, including literary, artistic, cinematographic and musical works, and grants exclusive rights to the creator of the original work.

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Koustubh Athavale

Senior Associate | Legal | [email protected]

Provides expertise in commercial contracts, dispute resolution, and data privacy. Leverages extensive experience in the startup ecosystem to deliver tailored legal solutions for diverse business needs.

Nikita Sukhathankar

Senior Associate | Transactions | [email protected]

Brings deep expertise in transactions, regulatory compliance, and corporate law. Specializes in venture capital, private equity, and complex deal structuring, helping startups navigate financial and legal frameworks with ease.