The correct answer is D. All of the above.
A trademark is a sign that distinguishes the goods or services of one trader from those of another. A sign can be a word, phrase, logo, symbol, and/or design, or a combination of these. In order to be protected as a trademark, a sign must be distinctive, i.e., it must be capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one trader from those of another.
Trademarks may be registered with the relevant authorities in a country or region. Registration provides the owner of the trademark with exclusive rights to use the trademark in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered.
The following are some examples of trademarks:
- The Nike swoosh logo
- The Apple logo
- The Coca-Cola logo
- The McDonald’s golden arches
Trademarks are important because they help consumers to identify the source of goods and services. They also help to protect businesses from unfair competition.
A seal, a stamp and a hallmark/official marks identifying precious metals, measures, etc. are not considered to be trademarks because they are not capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one trader from those of another.
For example, a seal is a device that is used to authenticate documents or products. A stamp is a device that is used to apply an impression to paper or other materials. A hallmark/official mark is a mark that is applied to precious metals or other materials to indicate their quality or origin. These marks are not capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one trader from those of another, and therefore they are not considered to be trademarks.