WHAT MAKES A STRONG TRADEMARK

What Makes a Strong Trademark — Why It Matters and How to Do It Right

In a crowded marketplace, whether you’re starting a new business, releasing software, music, art, or any kind of creative service, having a strong trademark isn’t optional. It’s one of the most important assets you will ever build. A strong trademark helps protect your identity, avoid confusion, prevent legal headaches, and support long-term value.

Below is a deeper dive: what strong trademarks are, examples to illustrate them, how you can build one, and key pitfalls to avoid.

1. The Trademark Strength Spectrum

Trademarks vary in how distinctive they are. The law treats different kinds of trademarks differently: the more distinctive, the stronger the protection. The main categories are:

Category	What It Means	Examples
Fanciful / Coined	Made-up words. No prior meaning. These are the strongest.	Exxon, Kodak, Google, Rolex.
Arbitrary	Common words used in a context where they have no logical relation to the product or service. Still very strong.	Apple (computers), Amazon (retail), Dove (personal care).
Suggestive	The mark hints at a characteristic or quality of the product, but invites imagination.	Netflix (hinting at internet “net” + “flicks” = movies/streaming), Airbus for airplanes.
Descriptive	Directly describes some attribute, feature, or quality of the goods or services. These are harder to protect unless they acquire “secondary meaning” (consumers come to associate that term with your brand).	American Airlines, Holiday Inn, Bank of America.
Generic	The common name of the goods or services. Cannot be trademarked.	“Bicycle” for bikes, etc.

Key takeaway: Aim for marks that are Fanciful, Arbitrary, or Suggestive. Descriptive marks are a gamble, and generic marks are off the table. If you’re unsure where your idea falls, we’re happy to review it with you in a complimentary consultation.

2. Why Strong Trademarks Matter

• Legal defensibility: Stronger marks are easier to register and defend. If yours is arbitrary or fanciful, you’ve got a head start. If yours is descriptive, to win disputes you’ll often need to show evidence like long‐term use, consumer surveys, advertising spend, etc.

• Distinctiveness and recognition: A strong mark stands out. It makes it easier for people to remember, talk about, and seek you out. That helps with word of mouth, with branding, with trust.

• Risk‐reduction: Using descriptive or weak trademarks can lead to higher risk of being blocked during registration, or having to rebrand, or being sued for infringement (if yours is confusingly similar to someone else’s).

• Value over time: As your brand grows, a strong trademark becomes intangible asset — it can increase valuation, licensing potential, or resale value.

Thinking of launching a new name? Let’s talk through your options before you invest heavily in branding.

3. Step by Step Guide: Building & Registering a Strong Trademark

Here’s a practical process to help you build something strong from both legal and branding perspectives:

1. Brainstorm & Shortlist

   • Generate multiple candidate names.

   • Try invented/fanciful names, suggestive ones, combos/portmanteaus.

   • Make sure they “feel right” for your identity as a business/developer/creator/artist.

👉 Pro tip: Bring us into this stage early. A quick consultation can help you avoid future roadblocks.

2. Preliminary Search & Clearance

   • Search trademark databases in your jurisdiction (e.g. USPTO in US) for identical or similar marks.

   • Do internet-wide searches, domain name checks, social media handles.

   • Check in relevant product/service classes (for software, for performance, for design, etc.)

     
     

3. Evaluate Strength

   • Use the spectrum above to evaluate how strong each name is.

   • Consider whether you’ll need to spend more on branding/marketing if it's weaker.

     
     

4. Design & Branding Integration

   • Consider how the name pairs with logos, taglines, stylization.

   • If the visual identity is important (e.g., for artists, creators), decide whether the stylized version or the plain word mark is more strategic to protect.

     
     

5. Registration

   • File for trademark registration in relevant class(es). Consider federal/international if you’ll sell or distribute widely.

   • Retain legal counsel to streamline the process. (This is exactly where we can help.)

     
     

6. Use & Enforcement

   • Use the trademark consistently in commerce.

   • Monitor infringement or confusingly similar uses. Send cease & desist letters, register enforcement.

   • Renew registrations timely, keep evidence of use (advertising, sales, etc.)

     
     

7. Brand Maintenance

   • Ensure your mark doesn’t become generic (avoid using it as a verb or noun when possible).

   • Be aware of cultural or linguistic issues if expanding globally.

   • Adapt brand strategy but maintain core distinctiveness.

     
     

Final Thoughts

Your trademark is more than just a name. It’s your identity in the marketplace. Choosing the right one from the start saves time, money, and stress down the road.

If you’re brainstorming names or wondering whether your brand idea is strong enough to protect, schedule a complimentary consultation with us today. We’ll help you evaluate your options, minimize risk, and build a trademark that truly supports your long-term vision.