Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can trademark a name under specific conditions. A trademark protects names used in commerce to distinguish the goods or services of one business from another. However, not every name can be trademarked.

Essential criteria for trademarking a name

• Distinctiveness: The name you select must be distinctive and not merely descriptive of your goods or services. 

• Non-generic: Generic names such as “Pizza Place” for a pizza restaurant would not be registrable. 

• Commercial use: The name must be used in commerce with your goods or services, such as on your product packaging, signage, or marketing materials. 

• No conflict: The name shouldn’t conflict with any existing trademarks.