:wordmark

{{Sidebar

| name = Examples

| title = Wordmark Examples

| navbar = none

| class = sidebar-example

| content1 = APPLE

| content2 = COCA-COLA

| content3 = DISNEY

| content4 = FEDEX

| content5 = GOOGLE

| content6 = IBM

| content7 = IPHONE

| content8 = MICROSOFT

| content9 = KITKAT

| content10 = ESPN

| belowstyle = font-weight:normal;text-align:left

| below = Note: Trademarked wordmarks are generally not case-sensitive and are listed in uppercase by trademark registrars.{{cite web |title=Are Trademarks Case-Sensitive? |url=https://tmkings.com/are-trademarks-case-sensitive/ |website=TM Kings |access-date=February 8, 2025}}[https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/standard-character-set Standard Character Set] - United States Patent and Trademark Office

}}

A wordmark or word mark is a text-only statement of the name of a product, service, company, organization, or institution which is used for purposes of identification and branding. A wordmark can be an actual word (e.g., Apple), a made-up term that reads like a word (e.g., iPhone), or an acronym, initialism, or series of letters (e.g., IBM). In some jurisdictions a wordmark may be trademarked, giving it legal distinction, and potentially additional protection of any artistic presentation.

Comparison with logos

=Brands & Companies=

File:Coca-Cola logo.svg

Wordmarks and logos are the two most common types of brand marks.{{cite web |title=Types of logos: famous lettermarks, wordmarks and pictorial marks |url=https://www.jessicajonesdesign.com/types-of-logos/ |website=Jessica Jones Design |access-date=February 8, 2025}} Either may be trademarked. Wordmarks, by definition, always contain the name of the product or company, such as Disney, Simoniz, and FedEx, whereas a logo, such as Coca-Cola's, may be both, or, as in Nike, Shell Oil, and Starbucks, a textless image.{{cite web |title=Wordmark Logo Design: A Beginners Guide (With Examples) |url=https://looka.com/blog/wordmark-logo-design/ |website=Looka |access-date=February 8, 2025}}

A wordmark logo (also called a lettermark or a lettermark logo) is a type of logo, not a type of wordmark, which consists of just text set in a particular style, such as a typeface or color, without other graphical features.{{cite web |title=Understanding Text-based Logos (Wordmarks): Definition, Uses, Pros, and Cons |url=https://designofly.com/2024/08/30/understanding-text-based-logos-wordmarks-definition-uses-pros-and-cons/ |website=Designofly |access-date=February 8, 2025}} For example, the SONY logo contains only the name in uppercase, set in a particular typeface.{{cite web |title=Wordmark logos 101: Why and when to use them |url=https://dribbble.com/stories/2019/10/01/wordmark-logos-101-why-and-when-to-use-them |website=Dribbble |access-date=February 8, 2025}} In some cases, such as Disney's logo, a custom or proprietary typeface is used.{{cite web |title=Wordmark Logo Design: Top Tips & Examples |url=https://rabbitlogo.com/wordmark-logo-design-top-tips-examples/ |website=Rabbit |access-date=February 8, 2025}}

= Cities =

File:Kilgore Wordmark black.jpg city's wordmark showing all cities alike benefit from Branding{{cite book |last1=Kotler |first1=Philip |last2=Haider |first2=Donald |last3=Rein |first3=Irvin J. |year=1993 |title=Marketing Places: Attracting Investment, Industry and Tourism to Cities, States, and Nations |publisher=Free Press |location=New York}}{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/petesaunders1/2018/03/21/the-value-of-city-branding/ | title=The Value Of City Branding | last=Saunders | first=Pete | date=March 21, 2018 | website=Forbes | access-date=2025-02-11}}]]

Word marks can function effectively as identifiers for cities, similar to their use for brands and companies. A unique typographic representation of a city’s name can help establish its identity and foster community pride. Such word marks can reflect a city’s character, culture, and history, making it more recognizable to residents and visitors. They can be utilized in various contexts, such as on signage, promotional materials, or public spaces, contributing to a cohesive urban identity. Overall, word marks for cities provide a straightforward way to enhance visibility and create a sense of place without overtly promoting a specific agenda.{{cite journal |last1=Kladou |first1=Stella |last2=Kavaratzis |first2=Mihalis |last3=Rigopoulou |first3=Irini |last4=Salonika |first4=Eleftheria |title=The role of brand elements in destination branding |journal=Journal of Destination Marketing & Management |date=2017 |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=426–435 |doi=10.1016/j.jdmm.2016.06.011}}

Trademarking

In many jurisdictions, such as the United States and European Union,{{cite web|url=https://oami.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/trade-mark-definition|title=Trade mark definition|publisher=Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market|access-date=2015-03-10|archive-date=2015-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329062320/https://oami.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/trade-mark-definition|url-status=dead}} a qualifying wordmark may be registered as a trademark, making it a protected intellectual property.{{cite web|url=https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/trademark-service/word-mark-vs-design-mark|title=Word Mark vs. Design Mark|last=Harris|first=Daren|date=May 26, 2023|work=Northwest Registered Agent}}

Unlike names and logos, trademarked wordmarks are generally not case-sensitive{{cn|date=August 2024}} and are listed in uppercase by trademark registrars such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office,{{cn|date=August 2024}} even if they are always cased in a certain way by the owner; this gives the trademark holder rights no matter how the wordmark is presented.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} Some examples are shown in the sidebar.

In the United States, {{clarification needed span|text=the legal term "word mark"|reason=What "legal term" "word mark"? By what standing? In what jurisdiction? As what? *Trademark* has legal standing.|date=August 2024}} refers only to the text, not to any graphical representation.

Copyrighting

In most cases, wordmarks cannot be copyrighted, as they do not reach the threshold of originality.{{cite web|url=https://fiveminutelaw.com/2021/04/12/the-originality-requirement-in-copyright-law|title=The originality requirement in copyright law|last=Wolfe|first=Zach|date=April 12, 2021|work=Five Minute Law}}

:wordmark

Comparison with logos

=Brands & Companies=

= Cities =

Trademarking

Copyrighting

See also

References

Further reading