The trademark symbol indicates that the object is preceding a trademark mark, and it is used for unregistered trademarks. The symbol of the trademark also indicates affirmation that a product of any kind or other sign is a trademark. Still, it does not say this object is a legally registered trademark. Using this sign shows that at least its user contemplates the attached mark as a trademark, but makes no allegation to its registration status. It is a wonderful idea to use the sign whenever you are thinking of registration for a given object, or your application for registration is already in processing.

People often confuse the variety of trademark symbols, namely, the unregistered trademark symbol, registered trademark symbol, and service trademark symbols. For instance:

The Trademark Symbol generally uses the icon of “⟨™⟩,” which is a symbol used to indicate that the preceding mark is a trademark. Note that, “⟨™⟩” indicates an unregistered trademark. The “™” symbol can also be used for any target, whether in use on services and goods. Besides, the “™” trademark symbol is usually used in connection with only an unregistered mark to inform potential infringers that a slogan, term, logo, or any other indicator is yet being claimed as a trademark. The symbol of “™” (trademark) can also be used when a trademark has been filed. It can even be applied for but not yet registered. As soon as the trademark symbol has been definitively registered, the trademark symbol changes into the “⟨®⟩” symbol, which stands for only “registered trademark.”

How to type the Trademark Symbol

Here is how to type the trademark symbol for different computer systems:

  • On Windows: Press “Alt” + “0153” on the numeric keypad;
  • On International keyboards: Press “Alt Gr + T”;
  • On Mac OS: Press “⌥ Opt” + “2”; or press “⌥ Opt + “⇧ Shift” + “2”; or press “⌥ Opt”, then “⇧ Shift” + “D” on certain layouts only.
  • On Linux (and similar): Compose “™” icon;
  • On Chrome OS (and Linux as well): Click “Ctrl”, then press “⇧ Shift” + “U 2122”;
  • On UK Extended keyboard: Press the button of “Alt Gr”, then click on “⇧ Shift” + “8”. (you can also type Alt Gr and *);
  • On HTML: Type “&trade”, or type “&#8482”l
  • In LaTeX: Type “\text trademark”.

Registered Trademark Symbol

It also complements the registered trademark symbol – “⟨®⟩,” which is mainly reserved for only trademarks registered with an appropriate government agency. However, in some jurisdictions, it is illegal to use the registered trademark symbol and a mark that has not been disclosed yet. The registered trademark symbol, “⟨®⟩,” is known as a typographic symbol, which mainly provides a notice that the other logo or word is a service mark or a trademark symbol that has been registered along with a national trademark office. A trademark can be a word, symbol, or words that are legally registered or even established by use as representing a product or a company. In some countries, it is prohibited and against the law to use the registered trademark symbol for a mark not yet officially registered in any state.

How to type the Registered Trademark Symbol

The registered trademark symbol was added to several extended ‘ASCII character sets”, including “ISO-8859-1,” from which a specific Unicode inherited this character as “U+00AE ®”. Here is how to type this symbol:

  • On the UK extended keyboard layouts and US international keyboard: Press “AltGr” + “⇧ Shift+R”;
  • On Microsoft Windows: Press “Alt” +0174 (on the numeric keypad);
  • On Mac OS: Press “⌥ Option” +R;
  • On Linux: “Compose” + “OR”
  • On Linux and Chrome OS: Press “Ctrl” +”⇧ Shift” +U then “AEspace”;
  • In HTML: “®”; or “®”;
  • On Emacs: “C-x8R”;
  • In LaTeX: “\textregistered” in text mode. “\circledR” in math mode or text.

Service Trademark Symbol

The service mark symbol is indicated with the icon of “⟨℠⟩.” This type of trademark symbol is used to indicate a service mark (for example, a trademark for providing services). The service trademark symbol is less commonly used, if we compare the other two types of trademark symbols, mainly the trademark symbols, especially outside the United States. Unregistered service marks can be easily recognized since all of them are marked with the service mark symbol, “⟨℠⟩.” The far more proper manner of displaying these symbols is to follow the mark immediately. Note that the logo is standard in superscript style, but be aware that it is not legally required. In many jurisdictions, easily-defended legal rights can be conferred by only registered trademarks only.

The character of the service trademark symbol has a Unicode code point at “U+2120”, in the block of Letterlike symbols. Unlike the similar trademark symbols, there is no other simple way to type the service trademark symbol on Apple macOS systems or Microsoft Windows systems. However, the symbol of service trademark may be selected from the “Character Map” or even from the “Character Palette,” respectively. As on Linux and other similar systems with a “Compose key,” the service trademark symbol can be inserted by using “Compose” + “s” + “m.” The use of the trademark symbol can indicate an assertion that an image, word, or other sign is a trademark. Besides, be aware that the trademark symbol does not impart or note registration of enhanced protections.

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