What do TM and Circle R (®) symbols mean? - Patent Trademark Blog | IP Q&A (2024)

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    What do TM and Circle R (®) symbols mean? - Patent Trademark Blog | IP Q&A (1)

    What does the TM symbol mean?

    The TM symbol placed next to a mark is meant to put the public on notice that the owner considers that particular mark to be proprietary. In other words, the owner is claiming rights to that mark even if a trademark application has not been filed. As discussed further below, a circle R symbol may be used only when a trademark is registered.

    Need to file a flat rate trademark application? Email US patent and trademark attorney Vic Lin at vlin@icaplaw.com or call Vic at (949) 223-9623 to explore working with us.

    Find out why Vic’s trademark allowance rate is 83% when the average rate is only 50%.

    Does the TM symbol mean that a trademark application has been filed?

    No, the TM symbol does not signify that a trademark application is pending. In fact, it is entirely lawful to use the TM symbol to signify unregistered common law rights to a mark for which federal registration has not been applied.

    Not all marks are protectable, and the fact that a company placed a TM symbol next to a term or slogan does not necessarily mean that they have the right to stop others from using the term. Nonetheless, it is useful to know where a competitor is coming from if you see the TM symbol next to an unregistered mark. If you’re thinking of using or applying for a similar mark, you may want to reconsider unless you have strong arguments for making fair use of the term.

    What is the difference between TM and SM symbols?

    Both TM and SM symbols serve the same purpose: providing notice that an owner considers a particular mark to be proprietary. When a mark is used in connection with services, the mark is technically called a service mark. So the SM symbol can be applied to marks for services while the TM symbol can be applied to marks for goods.

    What does the circle R symbol (®) mean?

    The circle R symbol (®) means that a mark is federally registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office, either on the Principal Register or Supplemental Register.

    When is it OK to use the circle R symbol?

    Do not use the® symbol if you have not yet secured a federal registration of your mark. Filing a trademark application alone does not entitle you to use the circle R symbol.

    If you are launching new products under a new mark and need to file a Statement of Use for an Intent-To-Use application, make sure the mark shown on the product or packaging omits the circle R symbol. In filing a Statement of Use, it would be acceptable to submit specimens showing the TM or SM symbol.

    How to use the® symbol

    The ® symbol is typically placed in the upper right hand corner or lower right hand corner of a mark that is registered with the USPTO.

    Can you submit specimens with the circle R symbol?

    If a foreign applicant is using the circle R symbol on specimens due to a foreign registration, then such use may be proper. Such use, however, may invite an Office Action if the Examining Attorney cannot determine whether the mark is registered in a foreign country.

    Countries that use the circle R symbol include:

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

    Ready to protect your trademark?

    Contact US patent and trademark attorney Vic Lin by email or call (949) 223-9623. We can help you determine the right type of trademark application to file and search for similar trademarks before filing. Save time and money by avoiding common mistakes made by do-it-yourself trademark filers.

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    What do TM and Circle R (®) symbols mean? - Patent Trademark Blog | IP Q&A (2)

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    We align ourselves with Davids fighting Goliaths. 800+ US patents granted and 500+ trademarks registered. Let's get to work on your IP. Flat rate patents. Email any competitive quotes or concerns about working with us. vlin@icaplaw.com | (949) 223-9623 | LinkedIn

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    What do TM and Circle R (®) symbols mean? - Patent Trademark Blog | IP Q&A (2024)

    FAQs

    What do TM and Circle R (®) symbols mean? - Patent Trademark Blog | IP Q&A? ›

    Author has 27.2K answers and 12.5M answer views. · 5y. The TM means that trademark status is asserted; the R in a circle means that the trademark has been registered. In the USA, when a company starts using a trademark, it uses the TM bug to let people know that it is asserting trademark status.

    What does the R in a circle mean vs TM? ›

    In summary, the trademark symbol (™) is used for unregistered or pending trademarks, while the registered trademark symbol (®) is used specifically for marks that have been officially registered.

    What is the R and TM logo? ›

    The ® on a product means that it's a registered trademark, meaning the brand name or logo is protected by (officially registered in) the US Patent and Trademark Office, while plain old ™ trademarks have no legal backing. Protections for registered trademarks last for 10 years and can be renewed after that.

    What does the TM R mean? ›

    You do not have to have registered a trademark to use it and many companies will opt to use the TM symbol for new goods or services in advance of and during the application process. The R symbol indicates that this word, phrase, or logo is a registered trademark for the product or service.

    What is the R symbol in USPTO? ›

    The federal registration symbol, the R enclosed within a circle, may be used once the mark is actually registered in the USPTO. Even though an application is pending, the registration symbol may not be used before the mark has actually become registered.

    What is the TM symbol with a circle? ›

    The letters “TM” in superscript – TM– and the letter R in a circle – “®” – are the two most often used trademark symbols, however, there are others, such as TM, which is commonly used for service marks in the Philippines, or the acronym RTM (which stands for “registered trademark”).

    What is the TM R and C symbol? ›

    How to Write Registered Trademarks and Copyright Symbols?
    Sr. No.SymbolResult
    1Trademark Symbol
    2Registered Trademark Symbol®
    3Copyright Symbol©
    Jun 16, 2023

    Does TM mean anything legally? ›

    TM symbol meaning. TM stands for trademark. Trademarks are marks used with goods, such as cell phones, clothing, software, and juice. The letters TM mean that a name, word, logo, or phrase is an unregistered trademark, which means that it is not registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

    Can I use TM without registering? ›

    You can use “TM” for goods or “SM” for services even if you haven't filed an application to register your trademark. Once you register your trademark with us, use an ® with the trademark.

    What does the r mean in a name? ›

    The R-symbol means a trademark is registered.

    What is the R symbol with a circle? ›

    The registered trademark symbol, ®, is a typographic symbol that provides notice that the preceding word or symbol is a trademark or service mark that has been registered with a national trademark office.

    What is the patented R symbol? ›

    What does the circle R symbol (®) mean? The circle R symbol (®) means that a mark is federally registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office, either on the Principal Register or Supplemental Register.

    When can I use the R trademark symbol? ›

    In the United States, it is proper to use the registration symbol ® only to give notice that a trademark has been federally registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The proper form of registration notice is the letter "R" in a circle ® placed in immediate conjunction with the registered mark.

    What does R mean in circles? ›

    Radius of a circle is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on it's circumference. It is usually denoted by 'R' or 'r'. This quantity has importance in almost all circle-related formulas. The area and circumference of a circle are also measured in terms of radius. Circumference of circle = 2π (Radius)

    What does the R in a circle emoji mean? ›

    The registered emoji is a small R inside a circle and is placed next to brand names to show that something has been “registered” and is owned by someone. You may see it next to a product name if the creator of the product has registered it.

    What is the R circle symbol on the keyboard? ›

    To insert the trademark symbol, press Ctrl+Alt+T. To insert the registered trademark symbol, press Ctrl+Alt+R.

    What does circled R mean on phone? ›

    The capital 'R' that appears next to the signal bars on phones is the data roaming symbol. When you see it, it means your phone's connected to a network that isn't its regular one. Without roaming you won't be able to use mobile internet while out of the country.

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