GAV Industries - Trademarks and Service Marks

Companies that develop a loyal customer base through their quality products or services are unfortunately going to be faced with lower-budget doppelgangers looking to copy their techniques to manipulate that market. This is prevented by companies representing themselves with a trademark that allows consumers to certify whether the product they're buying is from a legitimate source. Trademarks are verified by the following symbol(s):

So while trademarks represent the company and the products they make, a service mark represents the service they provide. These two are commonly mixed up, especially since companies like Apple put their trademark on their electronic products (on the back of iPhones and iPads, on Macs, etc). A good example that I think explains the difference best is McDonald's:

McDonald's Golden Arches are a logo representing the company and as a result are a trademark.

The McNugget is a product rather than a service and as a result, is represented by a trademark.

McDonald's is a service mark as it references the serving of fast food, hence it's providing a service to the customer.

The McCafe's text logo is a trademark but is also a service mark as it references the serving of coffee and drinks, hence also providing a service to the consumer.