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Distinct text-only typographic From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A wordmark or word mark is a text-only statement of the name of a product, service, company, organization, or institution which is used for purposes of identification and branding. A wordmark can be an actual word (e.g., Apple), a made-up term that reads like a word (e.g., iPhone), or an acronym, initialism, or series of letters (e.g., IBM). In some jurisdictions a wordmark may be trademarked, giving it legal distinction, and potentially additional protection of any artistic presentation.
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In many jurisdictions, such as the United States and European Union,[1] a qualifying wordmark may be registered as a trademark, making it a protected intellectual property.[2]
Unlike names and logos, trademarked wordmarks are generally not case-sensitive[citation needed] and are listed in uppercase by trademark registrars such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office,[citation needed] even if they are always cased in a certain way by the owner; this gives the trademark holder rights no matter how the wordmark is presented.[citation needed] Some examples are shown in the sidebar.
In the United States, the legal term "word mark"[clarify] refers only to the text, not to any graphical representation.[2]
In most cases, wordmarks cannot be copyrighted, as they do not reach the threshold of originality.[3]
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Wordmarks and logos are the two most common types of brand marks.[citation needed] Either may be trademarked. Wordmarks, by definition, always contain the name of the product or company, such as Disney, Simoniz, and FedEx, whereas a logo, such as Coca-Cola's, may be both, or, as in Nike, Shell Oil, and Starbucks', a textless image.
A wordmark logo (also called a lettermark or a lettermark logo) is a type of logo, not a type of wordmark,[citation needed] which consists of just text set in a particular style, such as a typeface or color, without other graphical features.[citation needed] For example, the SONY logo contains only the name in uppercase, set in a particular typeface. In some cases, such as Disney's logo, a custom or proprietary typeface is used.[citation needed]
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