TRADEMARK GUIDELINES

Additional Trademark Guidelines Focus 

What Are Trademark Guidelines?

Trademarks guidelines and those rules that protect how third parties are allowed to use your brands, some of your most valuable assets. In order to preserve and protect these brands, it is essential that guidelines be created and that trademarks are used correctly. Strictly adhere to trademark guidelines, and any brand style guidelines should include a prerequisite for using a party's trademarks, whether on products of in communications, documents, and electronic messages. Trademark guidelines give you clear instructions for the using your trademark and it must be read and followed carefully. Although not a substitute for a legal review by a trademark  attorney, below are some sample trademark guidelines for a fictitious company called "Super TradeZip":

• Always distinguish trademarks from surrounding text with at least initial capital letters or in all capital letters;

• Always use proper trademark form and spelling; 

• Never use a trademark as a noun. Always use a trademark as an adjective modifying the noun;

• Never use a trademark as a verb. Trademarks are products or services, never actions; 

• Never modify a trademark to a plural form. Instead, change the generic word from the singular to the plural;

Incorrect: “Corporate demand for Super TradeZip is surging.”

• Never translate a trademark into another language;

• Never use trademarks to coin new words or names;

• Never alter a trademark in any way, including through unapproved fonts or visual identifiers;

• Never use Super TradeZip trademarks as your own trademark, service mark, trade name, domain name, product name, or logo. You must have your own distinct name that does not include Super TradeZip trademarks;

• Never use or register any trademarks that are confusingly similar to, or a play on, the words Super TradeZip;

• Never combine your company name with the Super TradeZip name or use the Super TradeZip name in a way that it could be perceived that Super TradeZip and your company have an organizational link such as a joint venture;

• Never use Super TradeZip trademarks in a disparaging manner or in any manner that infringes Super TradeZip trademark rights or violates any federal, state, or international law; 

• Never use terminology that states or implies Super TradeZip assumes any responsibility for the performance of your products or services; and

• Never abbreviate or use any Super TradeZip trademarks as an acronym.

Correct: Super TradeZip®  is an incredible trademark software package. 

Incorrect:  Super TradeZip's performance is incredible.

Correct: “Set up your entire trademarks using the Super TradeZip® trademarking system.” 

Incorrect: “Super TradeZip your entire trademark portfolio.”

Correct: Corporate demand for the Super TradeZip® trademarking software is surging.

Incorrect: Super TradeZip and ABC company bring you an exciting opportunity. 

Correct: Super TradeZip and ABC company have teamed together to bring you an exciting opportunity. 

• Never use Super TradeZip trademarks in a disparaging manner or in any manner that infringes Super TradeZip trademark rights or violates any federal, state, or international law; 

• Never use terminology that states or implies Super TradeZip assumes any responsibility for the performance of your products or services; and

• Never abbreviate or use any Super TradeZip trademarks as an acronym.