Question

What’s the difference between a brand name and a trademark?

Short answer

A brand name can be defined as the combination of various words and letters that make a category of goods and services which stand apart from others in the industry.

A trademark can be defined as the legal protection against a brand name and the design.

Step-by-step solution

Brand

A brand name is a group of words or letters which are combined to give a level of differentiation to the goods and services produced by a producer under his name.

Example: Red Bull is a brand that sells a kind of beverage.

Trademark

Trademark is the concept through which a person gets legal protection on the name of their brand and the design brought in use by their brand.

Example: McDonalds sells burgers primarily. So, if a company with a similar name tries to sell the same product to confuse the consumers, then McDonalds can sue them.

Brand v/s Trademark

1. Brand defines the identity of the product, whereas the trademark provides protection towards the identity of the brand and associated symbols.
2. Brand name helps people in remembering the product in particular. On the other hand, trademark on a brand ensures that the identity associated with the brand cannot be used or associated with another brand.