What term refers to the legal protection for distinctive names, logos, or symbols?

The term that refers to the legal protection for distinctive names, logos, or symbols is trademark. A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of others. It can include words, logos, symbols, sounds, or colors—anything that signifies the source of a product or service.

Trademarks serve to prevent confusion among consumers regarding the origin of products or services and to protect the brand identity of companies. For instance, when a company registers a trademark, it gains exclusive rights to use that mark in commerce, allowing them to take legal action against others who might infringe on that mark by using similar symbols or names that could mislead consumers.

In contrast, copyright protects original works of authorship such as books, music, and art, while patents provide exclusive rights for inventions and processes. A license refers to permission granted to use someone else's intellectual property under defined conditions, but it does not itself offer legal protection for a distinctive name, logo, or symbol.