service mark
Definition
A service mark is a word, phrase, logo, or symbol that identifies and distinguishes your business's services from those of competitors, similar to how a trademark works for physical products. The federal government lets you register a service mark to protect your brand and stop others from using confusingly similar names or logos in the same industry.
Example
If you own a cleaning company called SparkleRight and you register that name as a service mark, another cleaning company cannot legally start calling itself SparkleRight or anything too similar to it.
Watch Out
Many business owners assume registering a business name with their state automatically protects their brand, but state registration and federal service mark protection are completely separate processes that each require their own filings.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.