{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trademarks","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/trademarks","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"trademarks","term":"Trademarks","group":"Reading the business","definition":"A trademark protects brand names, logos, and slogans. For a buyer, these are critical assets that define a business's identity and market recognition, impacting its value and competitive edge.","what_it_means":"In an acquisition, you need to verify the seller legally owns all key trademarks and that they're properly registered and maintained. Check for any pending disputes or expired registrations. This ensures you're buying a secure brand, not a lawsuit.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trademarks","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"intangible-asset","term":"Intangible asset","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/intangible-asset"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"business-valuation","term":"Business valuation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-valuation"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Does the SBA require a lien on intellectual property, like trademarks or patents, as collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-require-a-lien-on-intellectual-property-like-trademarks-or-patents-as-collate"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance the purchase of intellectual property, like patents or trademarks?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-the-purchase-of-intellectual-property-like-patents-or-trademar"},{"question":"Are patents or trademarks eligible collateral for an SBA 7(a) loan for a business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-patents-or-trademarks-eligible-collateral-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-for-a-business-acquisiti"},{"question":"Are intellectual property assets, like patents or trademarks, acceptable collateral for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-intellectual-property-assets-like-patents-or-trademarks-acceptable-collateral-for-an-s"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to purchase intellectual property like patents or trademarks?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-purchase-intellectual-property-like-patents-or-trademarks"},{"question":"For a business heavily reliant on patents or trademarks, can that intellectual property be used as primary collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/for-a-business-heavily-reliant-on-patents-or-trademarks-can-that-intellectual-property-be-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Trademarks","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trademarks","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}