Can I Trademark a User-Interface?
No, you cannot trademark a user-interface. A user-interface constitutes a design feature of the program, site, or product with which it is associated, and design features cannot be trademarked.
There are other legal protections you could invoke to protect a product’s design features so long as they are distinct enough to merit them; design features are typically covered by patents.
A trademark will only protect the name, slogan, or logo that you use to promote your products and services. Trademarks cover the identifying markings that differentiate the originator of a line of goods or services from a competitor within the same field or market. If you give your user-interface a distinct name, you can trademark the name that you apply to it.
Please contact us today if you have any questions regarding what aspects of a user-interface you can trademark. Our associates would be glad to discuss the matter with you.
The Process of Trademarking
More Common Trademark Questions
About the Author
Xavier Morales, Esq.
Mr. Morales founded his trademark law practice in January 2007 with the goal of providing intellectual property expertise to entrepreneurs and businesses around the country. Since then, he has filed more than 6,000 trademarks with the USPTO. You can learn more about Xavier here.