WHAT IS A TRADEMARK OR SERVICEMARK?
A trademark is a word, name, symbol, or device that is used in trade with goods to indicate the source of the goods and to distinguish them from the goods of others. A servicemark is the same as a trademark except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product.
Trademark rights may be used to prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark, but not to prevent others from making the same goods or from selling the same goods or services under a clearly different mark. Also, trademark rights may be used to prevent others from “diluting” strong marks, i.e. from lessening the capacity of famous marks to identify goods and services. Trademarks that are used in interstate or foreign commerce may be registered with the USPTO. Protection of a trademark begins on the date of use or intent to use the mark.