Brand names are used to describe the name of a product, service or company. They are just the names/signs that are selected by the companies or individuals for naming their products or services. In consumers’ perspective, a brand name is the easiest way to remember the product or service that they are looking for.
So, we can say that the brand names’ main purposes are to identify the product or service and to distinguish them from other similar products / services.
On the other hand, a trademark can be described as a registered brand. It can include any names, colors, logo (graphical elements), maybe slogans or sounds that are specific to that brand.
Therefore, brand names are not legally protected names unless they are registered as trademarks by the relevant authority.
Through registration of the brand as a trademark, the holder can seek legal action against any third parties who copy or use the trademark without getting permission.
So that a brand name helps consumers to identify the products & services of a specific company or an individual, whereas the trademark helps its holder to legally protect their brand from competitors.
Wrapping things up, we can say “all trademarks are brand names but not all brand names are trademarks”.