How to use the R and TM Symbol

How do you use the R or TM symbol on your trade mark?

Author: Ian Aldridge, Progressive Legal

So, how do you use the ® or ™ symbol on your trademarks? Many business owners ask us this question. On this trade mark FAQ page, we provide the answer.

You might notice a difference in how big brands use the R or TM symbol at the end of their trademarks, e.g., BRAND NAME ™ or COMPANY ®.

How do you use the TM Symbol?

You can use the ™ symbol when you want to identify to the market that this is your brand, logo, or tagline to make sure that everyone knows that you are serious about it and willing to protect it. You can use the ™ symbol on your brand material if you have not filed a trade mark application or you have a pending trade mark, but it is not essential, and it gives you no legal rights.

How do you use the R Symbol?

Once you have a registered trade mark it is strongly recommended that you mark your brand and any products with the ® symbol.  This puts others on notice to respect your trade mark. It is illegal to use the ® symbol before your trade mark is registered. You should only use the ® symbol when you have registered rights in the trade mark. Most businesses will use the ™ symbol all the way up to final registration of their mark and then once it is registered, then change the symbol at the end to ® .

You can use the Copyright symbol © on your literary work, website, publications etc without registering the work as you have inherent copyright in your words. Best practice is to identify eg “Copyright © 2019 – Progressive Legal Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.”

How do you type a TM symbol?

If you want to use the TM symbol, the easiest way to do this is:

Windows-based computer

Hold down the Ctrl+Alt+T keys.

Macintosh computer

Hold down the “Option” key and press “2”

How do you type an R symbol?

If you have a registered trade mark, it’s advisable to add the Registered Trade Mark Symbol to your branding.

The easiest way to do this is:

Windows-based computer

Hold down the “Alt” key and type 0174. This will create ®

Macintosh computer

Hold down the “Option” key and press “R”

Video: How to use your trade mark to identify your brand

“Most businesses will use the ™ symbol all the way up to final registration of their mark and then once it is registered, then change the symbol at the end to ® .”

Link: https://youtu.be/DQjDunYbELQ

“Ian and his team helped me sort out a trade mark in an efficient, uncomplicated fashion.”

Lisa Burling, LBPR