What terms can't be trademarked?

Photo of Jan Buza

Written by Jan Buza

Co-founder of Trama

Certain terms or types of marks cannot be trademarked due to legal restrictions or limitations.

For example, generic terms that are commonly used to refer to a category or class of goods or services cannot be trademarked because they do not distinguish a particular source or brand.

Additionally, descriptive terms that merely describe a characteristic, quality, or feature of the goods or services may not be eligible for trademark protection unless they acquire distinctiveness through extensive use and recognition. Marks that are deceptive, immoral, scandalous, or likely to cause confusion with existing trademarks are also generally not registrable.

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