Back to: Trademark Process

A trademark is always associated with the particular goods or services offered to customers under that trademark. You cannot register a word, phrase, symbol, or design as a trademark without clearly specifying the goods or services it represents. Your trademark can be linked to multiple goods or services, encompassing both product and service categories.

For more information, visit the [USPTO Trademark Basics](https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics) page.

Determining whether you offer goods or services can be confusing, but it is essential to make the correct identification. Consider what your customers obtain from you: do they buy a physical product displaying your trademark, or do they hire you for a specific activity? If you sell products, you have goods; if you provide activities, you offer services.

To learn more, review the [USPTO ID Manual](https://idm-tmng.uspto.gov/id-master-list-public.html) for guidance on identifying goods and services.

For example, registering the trademark “A Good Yarn™” for a bookstore would prevent another company from registering “A Good Yarn™” for a competing bookstore.

See more trademark examples on the [USPTO Examples page](https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/laws/examples).

By specifying the goods or services your trademark represents in your registration, you clearly define the scope of your trademark’s use. This allows you to legally block others from using the same or a similar trademark for related goods or services without authorization. If you apply for goods or services that you do not currently use or do not intend to use, your application may be denied. The USPTO may request clarification to ensure your identification accurately reflects your offerings.

For detailed application requirements, see the [USPTO Application Process](https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/apply).