Glossary · Reading the business
Trademarks
In short
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 a deal
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.
Related terms
Common questions about Trademarks
- Does the SBA require a lien on intellectual property, like trademarks or patents, as collateral?
- Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance the purchase of intellectual property, like patents or trademarks?
- Are patents or trademarks eligible collateral for an SBA 7(a) loan for a business acquisition?
- Are intellectual property assets, like patents or trademarks, acceptable collateral for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to purchase intellectual property like patents or trademarks?
- For a business heavily reliant on patents or trademarks, can that intellectual property be used as primary collateral?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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