What term describes a symbol, word, or combination legally registered to represent a company or product?

• A. Trademark
• B. Brand
• C. Logo
• D. Patent

Answer: (A)

A mark that is legally registered to identify a company or product is a trademark. This protects the sign—whether it's a symbol, a word, or a combination of both—so the business can prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark on related goods or services. Registration gives the owner exclusive rights to use that mark in commerce and helps consumers reliably associate the brand with its origin and quality.

This is different from a brand, which is the broader perception and image of a company in the minds of consumers. A logo is a graphical element that can be part of a trademark but by itself is not the legal protection; it’s the design that may be registered as part of the mark. A patent, on the other hand, protects new inventions and their technical features, not branding or identity marks.