Law Commons^™

Getting The Word Out: The Informational Function Of Trademarks, John Shahar Dillbary

Articles

This article challenges the statement that "the only legally relevant function of a trademark is to impart information as to the source of the product." Information about the source of the product undoubtedly helps the consumer choose the product she wants from a set of possible products. This article argues, however, that the informational function of trademarks is broader: in addition to providing information about the source, a trademark often provides information that reduces consumers' uncertainty about the product's qualities and impacts purchasing decisions. Specifically, this article shows that a trademark not only helps the consumer choose the product she …