See the Power of Trademarks at the NIHF Museum

Every day, trademarks are all around us. But there is no better place to explore the power of trademarks – or to test your knowledge of brands and products – than the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Museum.

Our freshly updated “Power of Trademarks” exhibit is made possible by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the International Trademark Association (INTA). INTA is a global association of brand owners and professionals who are dedicated to supporting trademarks and other intellectual property, with a goal of fostering consumer trust, economic growth and innovation to build a better society.

Read on to find out what you can expect when you visit our updated Power of Trademarks exhibit.

Spot the Counterfeits

One of our museum visitors’ favorite exhibit features is the Counterfeit Case, where you can test your ability to tell authentic and counterfeit products apart.

Trademarks, the symbols or words that represent the source of a product or service, help consumers to tell if the things they want to buy come from a brand they can trust. As you check out the products in the Counterfeit Case, you’ll see why this is so important – because fake products can be very convincing. You’ll also see that two new sets of genuine and counterfeit products have been added to the display, including Michael Kors handbags and Estée Lauder cosmetic products.

Find Familiar Favorites

Did you know that shapes, colors, words, designs, sounds and even scents all can be registered as trademarks? It’s true, and you’ll see examples of all of these when you visit the Power of Trademarks.

Now on display, you’ll find widely recognized trademarks like John Deere’s distinct yellow and green brand colors, General Mills’ famous “Breakfast of Champions” slogan, the Target bullseye design and the Jeep^® grille shape. Trademarks like these allow brands to build a unique, recognizable identity that stands out from competitors while helping consumers find their favorite products.

See the Evolution of Great Brands

Successful brands evolve by working to build and maintain consumer trust while also reaching new audiences and developing innovative ideas.

The updated Power of Trademarks exhibit shows you brand evolution in action. Learn about great brands that have grown through the decades, see Carhartt’s 2023 X-1 Smart Heated Vest that allows wearers to select their ideal temperature, see Hershey’s Tropical Chocolate designed for WWII soldiers and check out a rare Major League Baseball cap.

Plus, you can test your knowledge of well-known brands with fun, interactive trademark games!

Visit Us for More Enlightening Experiences

See the updated Power of Trademarks exhibit – and so much more – when you tour the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum. Start planning your visit at invent.org.