When is a trade mark, not a trade mark ?

Correct answer - never.

Trade marks are valuable assets of a company and they should not be misused.

So why do companies trade mark goods ?

- It is a way of identifying a unique product
- It shows commitment  to a product
- It helps protect shareholders
- It helps protect  business partners (they have a lot of skin in this game)
- It helps protect the employees
- It helps protect the Brand

and finally,  it needs to be done to keep the trade marks  - you can't selectively enforce them.

IBM is the second most valuable brand in the World.

I know they are deadly serious about everything listed - it's time others knew.