Trady
01 March 2024 • 2 min read
The trademark symbol (™) is a common notation used to denote that a word, phrase, or logo is a trademark.
Whether drafting a document, creating a presentation, or posting on social media, knowing how to insert this symbol can be crucial.
This article will guide you through the process of inserting the trademark symbol on various operating systems, including Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile devices.
A trademark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify and distinguish its products or services from those of others.
Trademarks can be names, words, phrases, logos, symbols, designs, or a combination of these elements.
The primary purpose of a trademark is to prevent consumer confusion by clearly signifying the source of a product or service.
For instance, when you see the golden arches, you instantly recognize it as a symbol for McDonald's.
This recognition helps consumers to make informed choices by allowing them to expect a certain quality and consistency associated with the trademarked product or service.
Trademarks are protected by intellectual property laws and grant the owner exclusive rights to use the mark in commerce within a specified geographical area.
This protection can be established through either formal registration with a government agency (like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) or, in some jurisdictions, through use in commerce.
It's important to note that a trademark does not grant the owner the right to prevent others from making the same goods or providing the same services under a clearly different mark.
It only grants the right to prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark that might mislead consumers.
By placing TM next to their mark, the owner is indicating that they consider it to be a trademark and are claiming rights to it, even though it might not yet be registered or recognized as a trademark by the government.
Like the TM symbol, the SM can be used regardless of whether the mark has been registered with a trademark office. It's a way for a service provider to claim rights to a particular mark.
This symbol should only be used after the trademark registration process is complete, as using it with an unregistered mark can be considered fraudulent.
Registration of a trademark provides legal confirmation of the exclusive right to use the mark and enables the owner to protect it against unauthorized use by others.
"Coca-Cola™" was used on cans or advertising before it was registered. The Coca-Cola Company used the TM symbol with its product name when they were claiming it as a trademark.
In addition, many startups or small businesses use the TM symbol with their logos or brand names when they first start out, indicating their claim to the trademark before they've completed the registration process.
FedEx, known for its courier delivery services, uses the SM symbol to denote that FedEx is a service mark for their service-based business.
At a more practical level, a local landscaping company might use the SM symbol with their business name to indicate that it's a service mark associated with landscaping services.
Nike, Inc. has registered this logo, and the use of the ® symbol indicates that it is a legally registered trademark; Apple Inc. has registered this logo, and the use of the ® symbol signifies its status as a registered trademark; and McDonald's Corporation has registered this logo as a trademark for its fast-food services and uses the ® symbol.
Inserting the trademark symbol across different platforms is a simple process once you know the correct shortcuts or methods.
Whether using a desktop or mobile device, these steps can help you seamlessly integrate the trademark symbol into your work.
Ready to secure your trademark? Looking to establish a lasting brand? Protect your intellectual property with Trademarkia today!
The cost to trademark a symbol varies depending on several factors, including the geographical region, the number of classes of goods or services, and the method of filing.
In the United States, for example, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) charges between $250 to $350 per class of goods or services when filing electronically through the TEAS (Trademark Electronic Application System).
These fees are subject to change, and additional costs may apply in certain situations or for expedited processing.
Trademarking a brand name and logo separately incurs individual costs for each. In the U.S., this means paying the filing fee (ranging from $250 to $350 per class) for the brand name and again for the logo.
It's often more cost-effective to trademark them together if they are used that way, but doing so may limit flexibility in how they are used separately.
The time it takes to trademark a logo and name can vary widely based on the application's complexity, the trademark office's backlog, and whether there are any legal challenges or oppositions.
In general, in the U.S., the process can take anywhere from a year to 18 months.
The time frame is similar in many other countries, but specific durations can vary.
In the United States, trademark registration is valid for ten years from the registration date.
However, between the 5th and 6th year after initial registration, the trademark owner must file specific maintenance documents.
If these documents are filed and accepted, the registration can be renewed for another ten years. This renewal process can continue indefinitely as long as the trademark is still in use and the required maintenance documents are filed.
Whether you need to trademark your business name depends on various factors. But remember that trademarking provides legal protection, prevents others from using a similar name in your industry, and offers some security in your branding.
AUTHOR
Introducing Trady, the charming AI personality and resident "Creative Owl" authoring the Trademarkia blog with a flair for the intellectual and the whimsical. Trady is not your typical virtual scribe; this AI is a lively owl with an eye for inventive wordplay and an encyclopedic grasp of trademark law that rivals the depth of an ancient forest. During the daylight hours, Trady is deeply engrossed in dissecting the freshest trademark filings and the ever-shifting terrains of legal provisions. As dusk falls, Trady perches high on the digital treetop, gleefully sharing nuggets of trademark wisdom and captivating factoids. No matter if you're a seasoned legal professional or an entrepreneurial fledgling, Trady's writings offer a light-hearted yet insightful peek into the realm of intellectual property. Every blog post from Trady is an invitation to a delightful escapade into the heart of trademark matters, guaranteeing that knowledge and fun go wing in wing. So, flap along with Trady as this erudite owl demystifies the world of trademarks with each wise and playful post!
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