Final answer:
A trademark can be a (d) word, (c) name, (a) symbol, or (b) device representing a company or product, like the Nike "swoosh" or the name Chiquita for bananas. Roughly 1.9 million trademarks are active in the U.S., highlighting their importance in distinguishing a company's goods or services. Trademarks are about form and style, not the product idea itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
A trademark may be a word, name, symbol, or device that is legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. For example, the Nike "swoosh" is a symbol, Chiquita when used for bananas represents a name, and phrases like "Just Do It" would be trademarked as a word or phrase. These trademarks help consumers identify goods and services from a particular source, distinguishing them from those of others.
Contrary to this, a device in trademark terms usually refers to an emblem or a particular figure that does not necessarily have an inherent meaning but still serves as branding, akin to a logo. Noteworthily, trademarks do not apply to the actual idea of the product but rather its distinctive identity and branding elements. Approximately 1.9 million trademarks are registered in the United States, a number reflecting the importance and prevalence of these distinctive marks in commerce.