What is the difference between a Trademark and a Service mark?

A trademark can be any symbol, phrase, design, word, or combination of these things that identify your GOODS, essentially they are a source identifier.

A service mark is also a source identifier that can be a name, logo, device or any combination of those things that identify a SERVICE.

Often “trademark” is used as a blanket identifier of services as well.

Examples of trademarks:

  • McDonalds golden arches

  • Coca Cola bottle

  • Twitter (downloadable software, etc)

Examples of service marks:

  • FedEx (the service of shipping & delivery of goods)

  • Google (the service of being a search engine)

  • Twitter (services: advertising and marketing, networking, promotional, etc)

Twitter is a great example of how you can have a mark function as both a trademark (goods) and service mark (services). Check out their registration for more information. Twitter USPTO Registration

sientje henderson