Is it possible to federally register a trademark made up of common or ordinary words?
Yes, if the combination of the words is distinctive. But even if the entire mark is judged to lack sufficient distinctiveness, it can be placed on a list called the supplemental register whereas marks that are considered distinctive (either inherently or because they have become well known) are placed on a list called the principal register. Marks on the supplemental register receive far less protection than do those on the principal register. The benefits granted by each type of registration are discussed in more detail in the next question.
