What is the difference between using the ™ and ® symbols?
The ™ and ® symbols are commonly used to indicate a trademark. Both symbols, which are referred to as “symbols of trademark notice”, are used to protect a business’s intellectual property and to give notice to the public that a company’s products, services, or words are claimed as their own. The ™ symbol is used for common law trademarks and simply indicates that a company is claiming their words, symbols, or other intellectual property as their own. The ™ symbol does not require registration with the government and is used even if the trademark is not registered. On the other hand, the ® symbol is used for registered trademarks. It is only used when the trademark is registered with the government and requires a legal process. This process generally involves a company filing paperwork with a state or federal authority and proving that the trademark is not already in use by someone else. Once the trademark is registered, the company is allowed to use the ® symbol. In summary, the ™ symbol is used to indicate a common law trademark and does not require government registration. The ® symbol is used when a trademark is registered with the government and requires a legal process.
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