Trade mark glossary

Trademark Glossary

There are numerous technical terms in trademark law. We explain these in our Trademark Glossary.

Term Main definition
Term of protection

The term of protection refers to the period during which rights arising from the trademark can be asserted. In most countries, including Germany and the EU, the term of protection is ten years.

Synonyms - Renewal
Territoriality

A trademark enjoys protection only for the territory for which it is registered. A national German trademark only enjoys protection in Germany, but not in other countries. A European Union Trade Mark enjoys protection in Germany and in the other Member States of the EU. An international trademark enjoys protection only in the countries for which it is designated.

Third-party comments

Third-party comments may be used by anyone to inform the Trademark Office within the period stipulated for this purpose why a particular trademark should not be registered.

Synonyms - Third parties
Three-dimensional mark

Three-dimensional mark designates a mark that protects a three-dimensional shape. Typical 3D marks are product shapes or packaging. In practice, the registrability of three-dimensional marks is subject to special requirements.

Synonyms - 3D mark,Shape mark
Title

Titles are the names or special designations of printed matter, film works, sound works, stage works, or other comparable works.

TM

This is a reference to a protected trademark. Use for unprotected trademarks can be misleading, even though the reference may also be permissible for unregistered trademarks, especially in U.S. trademark law.

Touch marks

Touch marks are generally registrable as trademarks. Special requirements apply, however, to the application documents to be submitted.

Trademark forms

Trademarks may be registered as word mark, word/figurative mark, figurative mark, three-dimensional mark, sound mark, or hologram mark. In addition, there are other types of trademarks.

Trademark information

see Search

Trademark Infringement

The application for a trademark or the use of a sign may lead to the infringement of earlier trademarks.

Trademark search

see Search

Synonyms - Research
Transfer

A trademark may be transferred to another party for all or part of the goods/services.

Synonyms - Assignment
For additional information see our FAQ or our Trademark Glossary.

For additional information see our FAQ or our Trademark Glossary.

Trademark Glossary
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