A trademark is a word, name, symbol, or device to identify and distinguish goods or services. It’s a unique indicator for a brand or company, helping consumers recognize and associate products or services with a specific source.

™ and ® are both trademark symbols but have different meanings. ™ can be used by anyone to identify a trademark, commonly used to indicate a new or unregistered trademark.  ® can be used after a trademark has been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, signifying the trademark is federally registered and protected by law.

To trademark a logo in Colorado, you must submit an electronic application to the Secretary of State’s office that includes the logo’s image, description, and date of first use. It’s advisable to consult an experienced intellectual property attorney before submitting your trademark application.