Trademark Symbols ®, ™, ℠ – An Overview (Video) (2024)

The three distinct trademark symbols are the registered trademark symbol “R” (®), the small “TM” (™) symbol, and the “SM” (℠) symbol.

Below, is a graphic I created to explain basic differences.

And here is a graph that breaks down the differences in plain English.

Overview: Which Trademark Symbol Should I Use?

Here, the circled “R” (®), “TM” (™), and “SM” (℠) symbols tell the world what IP rights you claim.

After successful trademark registration, you can use the circled “R” (®) only. In fact, it is purely optional and you do not need to use it, but it is a wise idea. Why? Because it tells the world you value your mark, your trademark stands behind quality products or services and scares off would-be infringers. Put the ® to the upper right of your trademark. This provides notice to the public that you claim trademark registration in that jurisdiction.

On the other hand, you can use “TM” (™) and “SM” (℠) even if you did get a registration. “TM” (™) and “SM” (℠) are used when a trademark is used in commerce with goods and/or services. Briefly, TM is used to designate an unregistered trademark, while “SM” (℠) is used for an unregistered service mark.

Below, I break down in greater detail what these symbols mean. In addition, I explain how you write, use, and obtain these trademark symbols.

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Circled “R” (®) Symbol

For instance, during a televised American football broadcast, you may hear and see the following “…the N-F-L is a registered trademark of the National Football League.” Here, this means that the National Football League filed for and successfully received a registration certificate. You likely have seen the ® symbol next to brand names. So, what does it mean to have the “®” symbol?

What Does the Circled “R” (®) Trademark Symbol Mean?

As explained above, the circled “R” (®) symbol means “registered trademark.”

Obviously, the circled “R” (®) symbol is the most coveted of the three symbols. It tells the world that your trademark passed the grueling United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) Office Examination. In addition, it tells the world that your trademark is in good standing on the Trademark Register. This mark adds value by telling consumers your mark is high quality, trusted, and that you are presumably policing your brand. It also serves as a caution to would-be infringers. Finally, it means that you can go to federal court to seek a judgment for damages (i.e., money) or injunctive relief (a court order to affirmatively do or prohibit someone from doing something). Without a registered trademark your ability to obtain money damages is significantly limited.

For those of you outside the U.S., seeing an ® in your jurisdiction means that the trademark is registered in your country’s trademark office.

• Related: What Are Trademarks and What Do They Protect?

Can I Use the Circled “R” (®) Trademark Symbol Without Registering?

No. Using the circled “R” (®) symbol without a registration certificate is trademark fraud. Trademark fraud carries with it the cancellation of your trademark by the USPTO. In fact, it could potentially lead to significant penalties under federal law.

It is not possible to use the circled “R” symbol (®) in any of these circ*mstances:

• without filing a trademark,
• before filing for trademark registration,
• while a live trademark application is pending before the USPTO, or
• if a trademark declaration/renewal is not timely filed.

Unlawfully including the (®) inside a trademark application will cause the USPTO Examining Attorney to report an application up the chain of command. See TMEP § 720.

When May I Use the Circled “R” (®) Registered Trademark Symbol?

Simply put, you may only use the trademark once you receive a registration certificate.

Even then, you may only use the circled “R” symbol (®) so long as the trademark is in good standing. Failed to renew your trademark and missed the grace period? Any further use is grounds for trademark fraud.

Related: How to Revive an Abandoned Trademark

Related: How Long Does It Take to Get a Trademark?

How to Type the Circled “R” (®) Registered Trademark Symbol

On Mac, hold down “OPTION” + “R” to write ®. The OPTION key is two keys to the right and left of the SPACEBAR. On Windows, press ALT + 0174 to insert a registered mark symbol. You can also type “R” with parentheses around it “()” like this “(R),” and press the spacebar.

“TM” (™) Symbol

What Does the “TM” (™) Trademark Symbol Mean?

The “TM” or (™) trademark symbol means unregistered trademark. It is commonly used when an entity claims its common law trademark rights.

A common law trademark is a trademark used in commerce without official registration. Trademarks arise the moment goods and/or services are sold under a trademark. Their owners are allowed to use the ™ trademark symbol.

Savvy business owners use the ™ trademark symbol to show the world they claim intellectual property associated with the mark. In addition, this has the unintended effect of scaring off would-be infringers who may not know the difference between the much more powerful ® and ™. Use this symbol before and during your USPTO trademark registration filing. ™ trademark symbol does not confer any trademark protection but puts others on notice.

Can I Use the “TM” (™) Trademark Symbol Without Registering?

You can, so long as you are offering goods and/or services under that trademark. For example, if you complete your online store offering downloadable software on January 1, 2022, you may affix the “TM” (™) symbol the same day. Typically, brands affix the “TM” (™) symbol to the product that is in the process of registering at the USPTO.

How Do I Write the “TM” (™) Trademark Symbol?

On Mac, hold down OPTION + “2” to write ™. The OPTION key is two keys to the right and left of the SPACEBAR. If you are using a Windows PC, press ALT + 0153to insert a registered mark symbol. You can also type “R” with parentheses around it “()” like this “(TM),” and press the spacebar.

“SM” (℠) Symbol

Unlike the first two, the ℠ symbol is uncommon.

What Does the “SM” (℠) Symbol Mean?

The “SM” (℠) symbol stands for “service mark,” and is also a type of unregistered trademark. It means that the trademark is used along with services. Similar to the “TM” (™) symbol, you can use the “SM” (℠) symbol to denote a common law trademark claim in a service.

How Do I Write the “SM” (℠) Symbol?

Most programs do not support an easy-to-use method to post the “SM” ℠ symbol. Simply bookmark this page, and return to it to copy and paste the ℠ symbol.

Where Do I Put My Trademark Symbols?

You would place the trademark symbols (®, ™, ℠) on the upper-right-hand side of the word, logo, or slogan. This is where anyone seeking to determine a mark’s registration status would look. However, in situations where the trademark is typed out in a word processor, it is acceptable to place the symbol immediately to the word, logo, or slogan’s right.

What Are Trademarks?

Briefly, a trademark is a source indicator for a name, logo, or slogan, that distinguishes your goods and/or services from that of others. Every trademark is associated with certain goods and/or services. Trademark goods and/or services are organized into at least one of 45 International Trademark Classes.

• Related: All 45 International Trademark Classes

A trademark is a brand’s strongest asset. Anchored to your brand, these trademark symbols tell the world what intellectual property (“IP”) rights you claim.

Can I Use a Trademark Symbol in My Application?

No. The USPTO wants to see a perfectly clean “mark.” A “mark” is either a word mark or a design mark (a.k.a. “logo”). The ®, ™, ℠ symbols are not registrable parts of any mark. If you use the ® symbol unlawfully, prepare to receive an Office Action refusal or at worst, a complaint about violating federal law. A USPTO Examining Attorney will review your mark. When the USPTO review your mark, they will flag any use of a trademark symbol as not registrable and request you respond with a new mark.

• Related: How Much is the Cost to Trademark? (2022 Update)

Other Countries that Use the ® or Registered Trademark Symbol

Other foreign countries find the registered trademark symbol, or ®, useful. Below is a non-exhaustive list.

• Belgium
• China
• Costa Rica
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Germany
• Guatemala
• Hungary
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Nicaragua
• Poland
• Sweden

Next, we will discuss what happens if you registered your trademark in another country.

I Registered a Trademark in Another Country, Can I Use the Circled “R” ® Symbol in the US?

No. Trademark registration is territorial. The benefits that accrue with trademarks are limited in scope to the territory’s jurisdiction. Every county has a trademark office (often called an “IPO” or “PTO” office). If, for example, you registered your trademark in Canada, you may not use the ® in the United States. Doing so is trademark fraud, and grounds for significant penalties under federal law.

If you would like to file a trademark in another country, you may either:

• file a brand-new trademark in the other country;
• file a new trademark in the other country, but based upon another country’s filing or registration; or
• use the Madrid Protocol springboard your registration or filing to another country

• Related: How Long Does It Take to Get a Trademark? (2022 Update)

How Do I Get Circled “R”(®) Registered Trademark Symbol?

In order to get the circled “R” (®) trademark symbol, you must successfully file for a trademark and obtain a Registration Certificate. You may follow the outline below:

• Select a trademark name, logo, or slogan
• Conduct a trademark clearance search
• Select the correct application
• Determine your trademark classification
• Choose a filing basis (Use in Commerce or Intent to Use)
• Submit appropriate specimens (if necessary)
• File a trademark application by paying the $250/$350 fee
• Answer any outstanding Office Actions
• Obtain your Registration Certificate

Summary and Recommendation

In conclusion, using the right trademark symbol – the circled “R” (®) symbol, the small “TM” (™) symbol, and the small “SM” (℠) symbol – is critical in telling the world what rights you possess. Selecting the wrong symbol can come with penalties or undervaluing your mark. The circled “R” (®) symbol may only be used after a successful registration. “TM” (™) or “SM” (℠) symbols provide constructive notice regarding claiming your common law rights but confer no protectable benefit.

As a recommendation, if you would like to obtain the circled “R” (®) trademark symbol quickly and efficiently, please contact Syed Law to schedule a consultation.

Tags: Trademark Basics