The trademark is a distinctive sign that serves to distinguish products or services in the market and the trade name serves to identify the activities carried out by a company in commercial trade and to set it apart from other companies in the same or a different sector. In other words, the trade name identifies a company and the trademark identifies the product or service.

The trademark can be registered at national, community (European Union) and international level. In contrast, the trade name can only be protected on a country-by-country basis and according to the national rules of each State.

Before choosing a name for your business, we recommend that you check if the name is available. Once you have verified that it is available, go to the different websites to see the application process, with all the steps to follow.

• At national level by accessing the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (SPTO)
• At EU level by accessing the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)