Can a city name be trademarked [Glossary]

Last updated : Aug 9, 2022

Are city names patented?

The names of municipalities and other geographic designations in the United States are not trademarked by default. However, if you are thinking of starting a company or branding a product using a geographic designation, you'll nonetheless want to be careful because the one you may wish to use may indeed be trademarked.

Can place names be trademarked?

You can register a trademark on a geographical location. And there can be good reasons for choosing a place name as part of your trademark: it may suggest a quality associated with that place, or suggest an emotion or activity you want associated with your trademark.

Can geographical name be used in trademark?

1 submitted that a geographical name cannot be registered as a trademark. In support of his submission, learned senior counsel referred to the judgment of a division bench of the Calcutta High Court in Imperial Tobacco Co. of India Ltd.

What words Cannot be trademarked?

• Proper names or likenesses without consent from the person.
• Generic terms, phrases, or the like.
• Government symbols or insignia.
• Vulgar or disparaging words or phrases.
• The likeness of a U.S. President, former or current.
• Immoral, deceptive, or scandalous words or symbols.
• Sounds or short motifs.

Can you use a city name in your business?

Generally, you can use your city in your business name. Of course, for every rule, there is an exception (sometimes, more than one). You cannot imply that your business is somehow a government agency, part of law enforcement or a financial institution.

Can a street name be copyrighted?

Public things like: country names, state names, county names, city names, street names, etc., are not trademarked or copyright protected. There are no licensing agreements required to use them.

What is the difference between a geographical indication and a trademark?

What is the difference between a geographical indication and a trademark? Geographical indications (GIs) identify a good as originating from a particular place. By contrast, a trademark identifies a good or service as originating from a particular company. A trademark often consists of a fanciful or arbitrary sign.

Who can apply for geographical indication?

Q: Who can apply for the registration of a geographical indication? A: Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can apply: The applicant must represent the interest of the producers.

What is meant by geographical indication?

A geographical indication (GI) is defined in the TRIPS Agreement as an indication which identifies a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a regional locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

What are the 4 types of trademarks?

• Generic. A generic term is a common description that does not receive trademark protection.
• Descriptive.
• Suggestive.
• Arbitrary or Fanciful.

How much does it cost to trademark a word?

The basic cost to trademark a business name ranges from $225 to $600 per trademark class. This is the cost to submit your trademark application to the USPTO. The easiest and least expensive way to register your trademark is online, through the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

What is not protected by trademark?

Generic terms are not protected by trademark because they refer to a general class of products rather than indicating a unique source.

Can I sell shirts with a city name?

Short answer: No. Cities cannot trademark their name; it's generally considered a part of the public domain (depending on your regional laws). People are free to use any city's name in an original t-shirt design featuring a city's name.

Can a company sue you for having the same name?

Trademark Registration Then, the owner can face a lawsuit for using the same name as someone else even if the second party registered a trademark for the company after the first owner created the company. These situations usually require the services of a lawyer to both understand and pursue.

What happens if two businesses have the same name?

In most cases, when two businesses with the same or similar names are operating in overlapping markets and locations, the conflict will be handled through an administrative proceeding with the US Patent and Trademark Office or with a lawsuit brought by one of the owners.

Can I trademark a state name?

Yes, you can, to a point. First, although people often question how anyone can "trademark" a common word, it happens all the time. APPLE is a common word that also used as a trademark, for example.

Can a state name be copyrighted?

In general no, they cannot be trademarked because they are descriptive of a geographical feature.

Can you trademark a name without a business?

You can't register a trademark for non-business purposes. You can only trademark a brand name that you're using in business or that you intend to use in business in the near future.

Which is not protected by copyright?

Not Protected by Copyright: Titles, names, short phrases and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering or coloring; mere listings of ingredients or contents.

What is the difference between copyright and trademark?

Copyright protects original work, whereas a trademark protects items that distinguish or identify a particular business from another. Copyright is generated automatically upon the creation of original work, whereas a trademark is established through common use of a mark in the course of business.

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Thanks for your comment Donovan Latulipe, have a nice day.
- Ayanna Truglia, Staff Member

I'd like them to withdraw the application because there's there's an awful lot of independent traders there were good people in a you know a meager living creating merchandise lots of it independently excellent designs that a lot of people like their calls opening where courts opening it's being a massive gap in our opinion you the absolute disgrace that they can take the name of my city and some products trademark on me I can understand that a little bit why the two units were that people himself or did he stop for the name love abou belongs to the city daily doesn't we are the people of Liverpool it's our city

Thanks airjordankingi your participation is very much appreciated
- Ayanna Truglia

About the author

Ayanna Truglia

I've studied great ages archaeology at Morrisville State College in Morrisville and I am an expert in homeokinetics. I usually feel apathetic. My previous job was mechanical engineer I held this position for 4 years, I love talking about confectionery and gambling. Huge fan of Ethan Suplee I practice snowmobile racing and collect buttons.