People have relied on acronyms since antiquity, when the government in ancient Rome went by SPQR rather than the more formal Senatus Populusque Romanus. Back then, acronyms may have made it easier for Roman stone carvers, artisans and metalworkers to mark everything from buildings to coins with the insignia of the empire. However, thanks to the convenience offered by abbreviating long phrases into a few characters or syllables, acronyms continue to have pervasive use in modern society. Indeed, many companies use short and easily recalled acronyms to identify their products and services to accommodate the ever-quickening pace of their consumers’ lifestyles. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that companies increasingly are seeking to register acronyms as trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Acronyms as Trademarks

While acronyms can be useful, a company must decide whether it is wise to adopt an acronymic moniker to refer either to itself or its goods and services. For instance, the Acronym Specialists Society may decide that it is not in its best interest to use one to advertise its services. Companies that are indeed interested in using one must follow all standard rules regarding the use of trademarks. For starters, the company must actually use the acronym to distinguish its goods or services from those provided by others and indicate their source.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]