There seems to be a lot of confusion out there regarding what an actual trademark is and how it can be similar or different than a brand or an image (or other things of that nature). Overall it is a pretty easy idea to remember, but an individual should know the basics of what a trademark actually is and is used for before they go about the trademark registration process.
Trademarks are made official by a patent or trademark office, (it has a different official title in many locations and countries) and according to the basic definition of a trademark it is usually the same generalization in almost any country or location that you are trying to get it registered in. Words and phrases as well as symbols or designs are the biggest sticking point with trademarks. That technically means that combinations of words and phrases or combinations of symbols and designs which help to identify the source of said goods/services will itself be considering a mark. The definition itself continues, but anyone can read that and then understand how large of a definition it actually is.
To summarize, a mark itself is anything that can be used to represent a business. Maybe it's a picture, maybe it's a catchphrase, or maybe it's something else entirely. But one thing is for sure, a mark is designed so that when an individual sees it they will instantly think of the business that stands behind it. If you go through the proper trademark registration process, then your mark is basically a calling card.
In order to have a mark an individual or a business must first go through the process of applying for one through the correct offices by submitting the proper paperwork and forms. Then when they have gone through that entire process they should have their trademark (eventually) given to them as if it were their own property. No-one else can use it without their permission and no-one else can even impersonate it to a degree.
If you are unsure of why a company would want a mark, just think about some of the more popular and recognizable trademarks that we see each and every day. Seeing McDonald's golden double arches is a major one that comes to mind. Another would be NBC's peacock colors. The Coca Cola bottle is yet another terrific example of what a truly brilliant and effective trademark can do for a company. These are global brands which can be recognized almost anywhere.
When an individual sees those items they are instantly drawn to the brand, to the product, and to the feelings of happiness that surround the entire mark itself. By going through the proper trademark registration process and then by promoting a mark as well, individuals won't even need to be told with words to think about a nice cold Coca Cola or a delicious set of French fries, they will simply start to think of them after only seeing the brand itself.
So in conclusion, it almost seems like a brand itself is a way to continuously and even subliminally advertise to individuals as long as the
trademark registration process has been carried out in a correct manner. It might not seem like a huge deal to some people who are on the outside, but a well-publicized mark can end up leaving individuals fully aware of the brand and it can help to grow a business considerably.
