A trademark is a legally protected word, phrase, symbol, design, or slogan that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services in commerce. The protected mark is typically a brand name, logo, or tagline. Rights are established either through actual use in commerce (common-law trademark rights, limited to the geography of actual use) or through formal registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO, federal rights with nationwide protection). Trademarks are one of the four major categories of intellectual property alongside copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. It is the IP category most consistently overlooked at startup formation and most consistently catches up to companies during fundraising due dili...