When you decide to start selling clothes, you must make important decisions about your brand and your business. This includes deciding if you want to register a trademark for your brand or not. Trademarks offer a form of protection and brand awareness for clothing brands that can be beneficial for businesses in a multitude of ways. To better understand how trademarks work, you may be wondering what is an example of a clothing brand trademark?

What Is a Clothing Brand Trademark?

A clothing brand trademark is a form of legal protection for your brand’s identity that prevents competitors and other parties from using names or images related to your brand without your permission.

Trademarks can protect your brand name, logo, slogan, and other identifiers that are directly related to it. There have been 204,675 applications and 156,489 registrations for trademarks in quarter one of 2025.

There are four main types of trademarks you can utilize for your brand, including:

1. Word marks. This is one of the broadest forms of protection for your clothing brand. A word mark is the trademark of your actual business name. It prevents competitors from using your name or a name like yours for their own products.
2. Logo marks. This type of trademark prevents others from using a logo that is like yours. A logo mark is a design or symbol that clearly represents your brand. Customers can look at your logo and recognize your brand without seeing the name.
3. Combined marks. This type of trademark is a combination of a word mark and a logo mark, offering robust protection over your brand name and imagery with a single trademark registration.
4. Slogan marks. If you coin a slogan or catchphrase for your brand, you can protect it with this type of trademark. These are optional but can be a beneficial part of your brand strategy.

Examples of Clothing Brand Trademarks

Trademarks are everywhere in the world. In fact, you see them every single day. Trademarks identify brand products and services so customers know who they’re buying from and can make informed decisions about their purchases. Common examples of clothing brand trademarks include:

• Nike. Nike has a trademark on their name, logo, and slogan. No matter where you live in the world, you have probably heard the name Nike or seen the iconic Nike Swoosh on clothing and other merchandise. Moreover, you’ve most likely heard the phrase Just Do It in conjunction with the brand name.
• Adidas. Adidas is another brand in the athletic apparel and footwear industry that has strong brand awareness in large part due to its trademarked name and logo. They also recently shifted their slogan from Impossible is Nothing to You Got This to better reflect the company’s values. This shows the importance of having established messaging for a brand and the part clothing trademarks can play.
• Levi Strauss & Co. Levi’s is an American clothing company that has been in business since 1853. The company has 375 trademarks to protect its brand against competitors. The colloquial term Levi’s was trademarked in 1928 and now covers a wide range of Levi’s products and apparel.

These are just a few examples of well-established brands that demonstrate how helpful it is to have a registered trademark for your clothing brand. The businesses listed above and many more have carved out their place in the market for their products and have loyal customers thanks to the strength of their brand identity.

Reasons to Trademark a Clothing Brand

While you’re not legally required to trademark your brand before you begin selling, it can be advantageous for multiple reasons. For starters, you can protect your brand from competitors trying to steal your ideas. A trademark is also a staple of good brand awareness. You can build your brand identity, gain a following, and have your customers represent your brand with a trademarked name and logo.

FAQs

Q: What Is a Trademark for a Clothing Brand?

A: A trademark is a word or design, or a combination of the two, that identifies a brand and distinguishes it from others in the same industry. Trademarks protect brand identities and provide a sense of brand loyalty among customers. They’re an important piece of a brand’s reputation and can prevent customer confusion.

Q: Can I Trademark a Brand Name That Another Company Is Already Using?

A: Typically, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejects applications that try to submit trademarks that are too similar to a trademark that’s already in use. In most cases, this is more of an issue if you’re trying to submit a similar trademark or provide similar goods and services. Businesses in completely different industries may have a bit more leniency in establishing similar trademarks.

Q: Can I Sell My Product Without a Trademark?

A: Trademark registration is not a prerequisite to begin selling your goods or services, but it can improve your brand awareness and establish you as a trusted, legitimate business. It’s recommended to consider getting a trademark to protect your brand and grow your business, but you can sell your products or services without one.

Q: How Much Do Trademark Lawyers Typically Charge?

A: The cost of working with a trademark lawyer depends on a handful of different factors, including your specific location, the experience level of the lawyer, and the complexity of your case. Working with a trademark lawyer can help you save money down the road, so it’s important to do your research and decide if working with a professional is the right move for you.

Learn More About the Process From a Local Trademark Lawyer Near You

If you’re considering getting a trademark for your clothing brand, it can be beneficial to meet with a local trademark lawyer who can help you explore your options and navigate the process of creating and registering your trademark.

At Four Reasons Legal, we’re committed to helping you through every step of the process of establishing your clothing trademark. With our team on your side, you can focus on selling your products with peace of mind, knowing you’re getting the quality legal support you need. Contact our team to set up an appointment today.