There are 4 symbols are likely to appear repeatedly in any product you’ve ever purchased: ™, ®, ©, and ℠. No matter small or big, they are powerful and convey a lot of meanings. So what are they? How do they differ from one another?
What does the symbol (™) mean?
TM stands for trademark. The TM symbol (commonly seen in superscript, such as this: ™) is typically used in conjunction with an unregistered mark—a word, slogan, logo, or other indicator—to alert possible infringers that common law rights in the mark are asserted. The use of the TM symbol does not imply that the owner’s mark will be protected under trademark laws. The owner may use the TM symbol whether or not an application for registration has been submitted or the trademark has been registered. Even if an application for registration of the mark is denied, the owner may continue to use the TM symbol.
What does the symbol (℠) mean?
SM is an abbreviation for service mark (often seen in superscript like this: ℠). It performs a similar role to the TM symbol in that it is used to offer notice of a claim of common law rights in a mark, but it is associated with a service. A service mark applies to services rather than tangible items, such as banking or legal services. The use of the SM symbol does not imply that the owner’s mark will be protected under trademark laws. The registration status of a service mark, like the TM sign, has no bearing on an owner’s authority to use the SM symbol.
What does ® mean?
The symbol ® indicates that a trademark has been registered. It is used to notify the public that a trademark or service mark has been registered, as well as to provide notice of the legal ownership status of the mark being used. The ® symbol should only be used with registered trademarks or service marks. In most jurisdictions, the ® may be used only after the mark has been registered. The use of ® with an unregistered mark is a civil or criminal crime in most jurisdictions.
What does the symbol © mean?
A copyright is the right to make copies of, license others to make copies of, or use an artistic or creative work in any other way. Copyright protects the manner in which something is expressed rather than a specific good or fact. It is exclusive, which means that only one entity may own and use the copyrighted material. Literary works, music, sound recordings, movies, photography, and art are all examples of things that can be copyrighted. The term copyright, as the name implies, refers to the right to copy. It was originally used in the early 1700s.
You can see a list of international IP firms here.