Which Trademark: a word or a logo?

Which is better, a word or a logo trademark?

Trademark applicants are faced with the choice of filing a word or a logo trademark application for their trademark. A word trademark application may comprise a single word, phrase or slogan and the like. A logo trademark application may comprise stylised text, images (devices) and the like.

Generally, a word trademark application will give you broader protection for your trademark. The reason for this is that a logo trademark application is arguably only infringed by a sign that looks similar to the logo. However, logo trademark applications are generally more distinctive then word trademark applications and are therefore less likely to conflict with any earlier filed trademark applications or registrations.

The general rule therefore is to file a word trademark application where you can and to file a logo application where there is a potentially similar conflicting mark. Many trademark applicants filed both a word and a trademark application together wherein the word trademark application offers broad scope, and the logo application provides a distinctive trademark.

If you have any questions about whether to file a logo or word trademark application, please contact us and we would be more than glad to assist you.

Last modified:03/10/2013