Exploring Trademarks and Brands at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

One of the exhibits at the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF) Museum inside the United States Patent and Trademark Office was installed in partnership with the International Trademark Association (INTA).

INTA is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property (IP) in order to foster consumer trust, economic growth and innovation.

This exhibit highlights the importance of trademarks and brands through interactive displays, brand artifacts and stories.

The first part of the exhibit walks you through an overview of trademarks, explaining what they are and covering the various types that currently exist. Did you know that in the United States, trademarks may include not only logos and words, but shapes, sounds and even smells?!

Another fun fact — many of the brands for products that we use every day have trademark protection. The exhibit displays a map illustrating a number of brands that are headquartered in the U.S.

As brands evolve and grow, they must build, maintain and even enhance their consumer trust while also attracting new customers and audiences. One way brands attract new customers is through continuous innovation. Come check out the brand evolution section of the exhibit for some examples of this innovation!    

Inspired by INTA’s Unreal Campaign, a consumer awareness program that educates young consumers about the dangers of counterfeiting, one of the displays in the exhibit also offers you information about the hazards presented to consumers by counterfeit products. The exhibit includes interactive features that illustrate the differences between authentic and counterfeit goods.  You will be able to test your knowledge by comparing real versus counterfeit products side by side and learning how counterfeiting affects the global economy.

Plan your visit today to learn more about brands and trademarks at the NIHF Museum.