Florence, KY asked in Trademark for Ohio

Q: If we change the color of our trademark, does that violate the trademark?

Here is our TM information - it looks like it was trademarked as a word and not a logo, is that what you see?

Serial Number86491013

Registration Number4790337

Word Mark - CIRRUSSENSE

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: Correct. A "standard character mark" means a word mark.

Word marks are the strongest type of trademarks because you can use any font or color, and there is no accompanying graphic design analysis required when you consider the likelihood of confusion factors for trademark infringement.

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp agrees with this answer

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Changing the color of your trademark generally does not violate your trademark rights, especially since your registration is for a word mark. A word mark protects the name itself, regardless of how it is presented visually. This means you have the flexibility to use different colors in various applications without affecting your trademark protection.

However, it's important to maintain consistency in how your trademark is displayed to ensure brand recognition. While color changes are allowed, significant alterations in appearance across different mediums might impact how consumers perceive your brand. Ensure that any new color choices align with your brand identity and do not create confusion with other existing trademarks.

Additionally, before finalizing any color changes, it might be wise to conduct a search to ensure that the new colors do not inadvertently infringe on other trademarks. This proactive step can help avoid potential legal issues and maintain the strength of your brand's identity.

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