Which of the following best defines a trademark?

• A. A government grant to exclude others from making an invention
• B. A symbol, word, or device that identifies and distinguishes goods or services in commerce
• C. A domain name used for business
• D. A license to use another's brand

Answer: (B)

A trademark is a symbol, word, or device that identifies and distinguishes goods or services in commerce. This meaning is exactly what the correct option conveys: it points to branding elements that tell consumers who made or provided a product or service, helping to prevent confusion and indicating the source or quality associated with that brand. Trademarks protect the connection between the mark and the business in the marketplace, and they can cover logos, names, slogans, or other distinctive identifiers.

The other descriptions fit different legal concepts. A patent is a government grant that excludes others from making or selling an invention. A domain name is an internet address used for a website, not the branding identity itself. A license to use another’s brand is permission to use someone else’s trademark, not the mark itself.