What is a “trademark” or a “service mark”?

Trademark rights are another form of “intellectual property,” and give the owner the exclusive rights to use a name, symbol, or short slogan to identify and distinguish particular types of goods or services. In the US, trademark rights are protected by the federal Lanham Act and administered by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as well as state laws. Trademark rights are intended to protect consumers from confusion and to identify the source of a product or service. A service mark is a trademark that is for a service, as opposed to a product.

For example, the name or logo of your band or artist name may be protected as a trademark in connection with music services. Learn more about trademarks in music at https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/laws/rockin-trademark.