FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions | Marko™

Q: What is Marko™?

Marko™ is your AI-powered assistant for trademark protection. Marko™ helps businesses and entrepreneurs protect their intellectual property through trademark registration, combining advanced AI technology with expert legal review.

Q: How is Marko™ different from other trademark services?

Marko™ stands out by combining cutting-edge AI technology with expert legal review. Our proprietary algorithms analyze millions of existing trademarks to provide a more thorough risk assessment than traditional services. Every application is also reviewed by experienced trademark attorneys to ensure accuracy and maximize registration success.

Q: Do I need to register a trademark?

While you gain some common law rights simply by using a distinctive mark in commerce, formal registration provides significant benefits, including: nationwide legal presumption of ownership, exclusive rights to use the mark, ability to bring legal action in federal court, basis for international registration, and the right to use the ® symbol.

Q: Is Marko™ available internationally?

Yes, Marko™ offers trademark services for multiple jurisdictions worldwide, including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and many others. Our platform can help you develop an international trademark strategy based on your business needs.

Q: What can be trademarked?

Various elements can be trademarked, including words, phrases, logos, symbols, designs, colors, sounds, and even scents. The key requirement is that the mark must be distinctive and used to identify the source of goods or services in commerce. Generic terms and purely descriptive marks generally cannot be registered without acquired distinctiveness.

Q: What's the difference between TM, SM, and ® symbols?

The ™ symbol indicates an unregistered trademark for goods, while the ℠ symbol represents an unregistered service mark for services. The ® symbol can only be legally used after your mark has been officially registered with a trademark office. Using ® on an unregistered mark could be considered fraud.

Q: How long does trademark protection last?

In most countries, trademark registration lasts for 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the mark continues to be used in commerce and renewal fees are paid. However, in some jurisdictions, you may need to file proof of continued use at specific intervals.

Q: What's the difference between a trademark and a copyright?

Trademarks protect brand identifiers like names, logos, and slogans that distinguish your goods or services from others. Copyrights protect original creative works such as books, music, artwork, and software. While trademarks protect source identifiers in commerce, copyrights protect creative expression.

Q: How long does the trademark registration process take?

The timeline varies by country. In the US, it typically takes 8-12 months from filing to registration if there are no objections. The EU process generally takes 4-6 months, while other countries may take anywhere from 6-24 months. Our platform provides estimated timelines based on your specific registration jurisdiction.

Q: What does the trademark search and analysis include?

Our AI-powered search scans millions of registered and pending trademarks across global databases. The analysis evaluates similarity based on appearance, sound, meaning, and the relatedness of goods/services. We provide a comprehensive risk assessment that identifies potential conflicts and explains the level of risk for each.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about trademarks and our services.

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