Trademark lowdown

[Pressing-On]

Could someone give me the lowdown on Trademarks? I will be looking into it further, but thought someone may have some ready information.

I started a small business and someone e-mailed me to say that I needed to check the Trademark. I have a license with my State and there was no issue there.

I checked with the US Patent and Trademark Office and the name, in question, didn't come up. This company makes massage lotion and health products. lol! Guess I won't be doing that.

Someone is telling me that if I use part of a name I could be in trouble. I thought is was like a copyright and if you changed it up you were o.k.

Any advice?

Thanks,