What does a trademark help prevent?

A trademark serves a specific purpose in protecting the identity and reputation of a brand. It primarily helps prevent unauthorized use of a company’s symbol or logo, ensuring that consumers can identify the source of goods or services associated with that trademark. This protection fosters brand recognition and trust among consumers, as it prevents other entities from using similar marks that could confuse or mislead the public regarding the source or quality of products.

In terms of the other options, while a trademark may have some indirect influence on similar products being created, its primary legal protection focuses on the unique identifiers of a brand, such as logos or symbols. Moreover, a trademark does not affect company ownership changes directly, nor does it hinder the growth of a company. Instead, it facilitates growth by establishing brand loyalty and consumer trust, which are crucial for expanding a business.