The only difference between a brand name and a trade name is brand names are licensed while trade names are not.

trade names are legally registered and brand names may not be$.$

a brand name is only the word that is spoken to distinguish a seller s products or services but a trade name consists of both the spoken and unspoken word or mark that distinguishes a seller s products or services.

a brand name can cover an array of company product items while a trademark can only apply to a single SKU for a product item. brand names are protected by law but trademarks are not.