Trademark Infringement Overview

Trademarks—corporate symbols or logos—are protected under federal unfair-competition laws. A trademark protects words, names, symbols, or devices that identify a specific product for consumers. If a company uses a symbol or logo that might confuse the public because it is similar to the registered trademark of another company, the company that has registered the mark can sue the competitor and demand they stop using the similar trademark. A company can also sue on the basis that a competitor's similar mark is diluting the value of their trademark. A company accused of trademark infringement can argue that no customer confusion occurred, or that the mark was used in parody (intentionally, for humor's sake) of the true mark.

Trademark infringement attorneys can help you understand which options and procedures will get the desired outcome for your case (whether it's destroying the competing product, stopping the continued misuse of your trademark, or getting compensation for the money the infringer earned from your trademark).