Proprietary name

Proprietary name also known as a trade name or brand name, is the name under which a product is marketed and sold. The proprietary name is distinct from the generic name, which identifies the active ingredient in the product.

Overview

A proprietary name is typically chosen by the manufacturer or distributor of the product, and is protected by trademark laws. This means that other companies cannot use the same name to market similar products, providing a competitive advantage to the company that owns the proprietary name.

Proprietary names are often chosen for their marketing appeal. They may suggest certain qualities or benefits of the product, or they may simply be catchy and easy to remember. In some cases, a proprietary name may become so well-known that it becomes synonymous with the product itself, such as in the case of Kleenex or Band-Aid.

Legal considerations

In many jurisdictions, proprietary names must be registered with a government agency, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the U.S., or the European Union Intellectual Property Office in the EU. This registration process helps to ensure that the name is not already in use, and provides legal protection against unauthorized use of the name.

In the pharmaceutical industry, proprietary names are also subject to approval by health authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the EU. These agencies review proposed proprietary names to ensure that they are not misleading or likely to cause confusion with other products.

See also

• Trademark
• Brand
• Generic name
• Food and Drug Administration
• European Medicines Agency