Protect Initials Article For Free

Unfortunately, acronyms, abbreviations ? or even initials ? are not automatically granted trademark protection. To qualify for trademark protection, the acronym, abbreviations or initials must not be descriptive and consumers must not be able to recognize them as synonymous with a particular product.

The first time you mention a phrase that can be abbreviated, spell it out in full and provide the abbreviation in parentheses. Use only the abbreviation thereafter. Only abbreviate phrases that occur three or more times in your paper. Avoid abbreviations in titles, headings, the abstract, and the reference section.

When the indefinite article is used before an acronym, the choice of form (a or an) depends on pronunciation, not on spelling; in other words, use a if the acronym begins with a consonant sound, and an if it begins with a vowel sound: a NATO decision (a before the consonant sound n)

But remember that even the spoken form of a consonant can begin with a vowel sound (e.g., [em] for M, [aitch] for H). Acronyms beginning with a consonant sound use ?a.? Acronyms beginning with a vowel sound use ?an.?

The first time you use the term, put the acronym in parentheses after the full term. Thereafter, you can stick to using the acronym. Note that when introducing an acronym, the full term should only be capitalized if it is a proper noun (e.g. the name of an organization).

If a person uses initials for only part of their name, use periods (J. R. R. Tolkien). If a person uses two or more initials to abbreviate their entire name, do not use periods. (FDR, MLK). Latin abbreviations like etc., e.g., c., and i.e. always use periods.

Trademarking an acronym is the best way to protect it so that it is exclusively yours for your brand. You can trademark an acronym used to brand your business, company, or organization. You can also trademark an acronym used to brand your products or services.