You'd be surprised how many ostensibly intelligent people still get it wrong. So let's make it simple:
Is the thing or idea being protected a symbol, shape, design, word or phrase, set of colors, or other such succinct representation of a business entity within a specific industry? If so, then what you are talking about is trademark.
The name and design for a character or species could be the subject of a trademark. One would have to register it, defend it against becoming generic, and continually re-register it with the USPTO or equivalent entity in your jurisdiction, with additional steps probably needed to register the mark in other jurisdictions, which is why, for the most part, it's not a practical tool for most of the creators in the fandom to use.
If what is being discussed does not match the above, it's very likely not trademark.
You'd be surprised how many ostensibly intelligent people still get it wrong. So let's make it simple:
Is the thing or idea being protected a symbol, shape, design, word or phrase, set of colors, or other such succinct representation of a business entity within a specific industry? If so, then what you are talking about is trademark.
The name and design for a character or species could be the subject of a trademark. One would have to register it, defend it against becoming generic, and continually re-register it with the USPTO or equivalent entity in your jurisdiction, with additional steps probably needed to register the mark in other jurisdictions, which is why, for the most part, it's not a practical tool for most of the creators in the fandom to use.
If what is being discussed does not match the above, it's very likely not trademark.