When a company wants to assert its right to use specific words, symbols, or devices to indicate ownership of a product or service, it creates a trademark (for products) or a service mark (for services). At the time you start using the trademark or service mark, you can designate your ownership by using the "TM" or "SM."
When man I Use the ® symbol for my trademark or service mark?
According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, you may also use the "R in a circle" symbol when the trademark registration has been officially approved. Until then, you can use the "TM" or "SM" marks.
To register a trademark or service mark, you can go to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the forms you need, or you can contact an attorney to do the work for you.
Read more about Registering a Trademark or Service Mark.
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