The Neglected Intangible Asset: The Influence of the Trade Mark on the Rise of the Modern Corporation

Trade marks are, and have been since the late nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century, vital business assets. The paper argues that they (along with brand names, trade names, and company names) have been of crucial importance to the rise of the modern corporation. US law and the cour...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business history 1992-01, Vol.34 (1), p.66-95
Main Author: Wilkins, Mira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Corporations
Influence
Intellectual property
Trademarks
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Summary:Trade marks are, and have been since the late nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century, vital business assets. The paper argues that they (along with brand names, trade names, and company names) have been of crucial importance to the rise of the modern corporation. US law and the courts have protected these property rights at the same time as the value of these assets to the modern firm has increased. The paper explains the significant role of trade marks in the evolution of the modern enterprise; provides historical data on US laws and court rulings; compares the trade mark and the patent; and indicates how, over time, the trade mark has contributed to efficiency gains in the modern firm.
ISSN:0007-6791
1743-7938
DOI:10.1080/00076799200000004