---
title: "What is Trademark? Definition · Ingenious Hub"
description: "A trademark is a legally recognised sign, such as a name, logo or phrase, that identifies one business's goods or services."
canonical: https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/trademark
publisher: Ingenious Hub (https://www.ingenioushub.com)
---

Brand and identity

# Trademark

A trademark is a legally recognised sign, such as a name, logo or phrase, that identifies one business's goods or services. Registering it can protect it from copying. It is a legal step, so take advice from a qualified professional.

## In practice

What it means when you are the one making the decision.

Designers cannot register or guarantee a trademark, but they can design with it in mind: an invented or distinctive name is easier to protect than a plain descriptive one, and a logo that copies another mark can cause trouble later.

Before you print widely, check the public records for similar names and marks in your field, and ask a qualified professional whether to register. This is general information and not legal advice.

### Example

A new label checks the public trademark records for names close to its own before it prints packaging, then asks a professional whether to register the name and the logo.

## Keep going

Related terms

- [Wordmark](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/wordmark)
- [Brand guidelines](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/brand-guidelines)
- [Logo suite](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/logo-suite)
- [All terms](https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary)

Where we use it

- [How to name a business in India](https://www.ingenioushub.com/notes/how-to-name-a-business-in-india)
- [Branding and identity](https://www.ingenioushub.com/services/branding)
- [In our notes: Trademark basics before a logo, in India](https://www.ingenioushub.com/notes/trademark-basics-before-you-design-a-logo-in-india)
- [In our notes: How to name a business in India](https://www.ingenioushub.com/notes/how-to-name-a-business-in-india)
- [In our notes: How much does logo design cost in India?](https://www.ingenioushub.com/notes/logo-design-cost-india)
- [Seen in our work: Volimy, A debossed mark for a category-creator.](https://www.ingenioushub.com/work/volimy)

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Source: https://www.ingenioushub.com/glossary/trademark