May 7, 2007, 5:15 pm
When do trademarks expire?
Ann Fisher tells a reader how to obtain a trademark in a May 8 Ask FSB column. Have you trademarked an idea? Did you have an idea that was stolen before you were able to trademark it? Post your thoughts.
Your Answers
From R Currie, Atlanta, GA Trademarks do not "protect ideas" in the sense asked by the person submitting the origianl question. Trademarks and service marks protect devices, such as names, symbols, colors, and other things, used by a person or company in commerce to identify the source and quality of their goods and services. They do not protect ideas.
From the nature of the question, it sounds as if the person is really asking about patents. Patents protect inventions that meet certain requirements set up by the patent laws.
Posted By R Currie, Atlanta, GA : May 8, 2007 4:35 pm
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The big issue that was completely sidestepped in this question is whether the person asking the question needs a patent or a trademark. He asked about protecting an "idea". Generally speaking, you do not trademark ideas…you patent ideas. You use trademarks to indicate the source of a good or service. Trademarks are symbols of origin or manufacture. They are not vehicles for protecting ideas, which is the domain of patents.