Frequently Asked Questions

Historical Trademarks FAQ

What is a Trademark?

A trademark is a word, name, symbol or device which is used in trade with goods to indicate the source of the goods and to distinguish them from the goods of others. A servicemark is the same as a trademark except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. The terms "trademark" and "mark" are commonly used to refer to both trademarks and servicemarks.

How many Trademarks are there?

The database includes a selection of approximately 250 historical trademarks from the holdings of the Oregon State Archives. They were selected primarily for their visual appeal. The trademarks span the years 1864-1933. The Archives holds approximately 15,000 trademark descriptions, drawings, and labels. Contact the reference staff for additional information about viewing these other trademarks.

How can I search for Trademarks?

There are a number of ways to search for Trademarks. You can search by:

Registration: A number was assigned at the time the trademark was filed with the Secretary of State. Searches can be performed using a registration number.

Date: Searches can be performed using a year or span of years when a trademark is filed. The trademarks in this database span the years 1864 – 1933. Hint: If you want to browse the collection, enter 1864 - 1931 in the date fields to bring back the most results

Product Name: Searches can be performed using the name of the product or words within the product name.

Business Name: Searches can be performed using the name of the business or words within the business name.

Owner: Searches can be performed using the individual business owners first or last name or both.

Trademark Description: Searches can be performed by entering in a word or phrase into the trademark description field. Hints: Salmon, fruit, etc.

Goods and Services: Searches can be performed on different categories of goods and services selected from the choices found in the drop down menu. Note: Not all categories are hooked up to images at this time.

Color: Searches can be performed based on predominate and secondary colors using the color choices found in the drop down menu.

How can I view these images?

After a search is performed, simply click on the thumbnail image to see a larger detail image. In some browsers, double clicking on the thumbnail may cause an error. Single clicking is recommended.

Once the trademark or trademarks are purchased, two emails will be sent per order containing the order confirmation and the download link. Simply click on the link and the image will download. Note: A downloadable image can be downloaded only once. It will be available for download for two (2) weeks from the date the order was completed.

The trademarks were scanned as tif images. Depending on the web browser used, you may have to install a tif plugin viewer. If you are using a Windows based system, you can download a tif plugin at http://www.alternatiff.com/. Most Macs have built-in tif viewing software. It is recommended to save the image, not open when prompted by the download dialog box. If you choose to open the file and your browser does not support tif images, the file may go to a temporary internet folder making retrieval difficult.

How large are the images and can I download with dial-up?

The trademarks were scanned at 600 dpi and range from 3 MB to 200 MB. High speed internet is recommended for an electronic download. If you don’t have high speed internet, the trademark is also available on a CD.

How can I use these images?

The Archives has made these images available for research and personal use only. The Oregon Secretary of State, Archives Division provides the documents and images on this website for examination and inspection purposes pursuant to the Oregon Public Records Law. If you would like to purchase a copy of the document or image either by downloading or ordering through the Archives Division, it is your responsibility to identify the owner of any intellectual property rights contained in the documents and images and to obtain all necessary clearances from the owner. Without the necessary clearances, any commercial, broadcast, or other use; reproduction; download; display; distribution; or modification of the documents or images may subject you to a claim for violation of the intellectual property rights contained in the documents and images.

Do I need to have an account?

You do not need an account, you may complete your shopping experience without an account.

Why should I have an account?

If you choose to save your shopping cart and return to it later or if you wish to have the Online Store maintain a history of your purchases or if you want the Online Store to retain your contact information for future purchases, you will need to have an account.

Related Resources

Sold in Oregon: Historical Oregon Trademarks – Oregon State Archives Web exhibit

Historical Oregon Trademarks – Oregon Blue Book

Trademark Search Home – Oregon Public Records System