On this page about United States trademark law:
Trademarks were traditionally protected in the United States only under State common law, growing out of the tort of unfair competition. In 1946, Congress passed the Lanham Act (15 USC §§ 1051 - 1127) under its Commerce Clause power, which creates federal protection and registration for trademarks, administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"). State law continues to add its own protection, complementing the federal system.
territories. Trademark laws of various countries: United States trademark law Australian trademark law... been registered in respect of tennis balls. In the United States, the sound of a roar of a lion has been registered in respect of motion pictures. The main purpose of trademark law is to protect the...