

Unfortunately, you can’t simply use symbols interchangeably in order to garner more rights. Trademarks can apply in a specific regional area or nationally – depending upon whether you have sought federal registration. This makes it more difficult for someone to later claim ignorance after committing trademark infringement. Each of the main symbols tells others that you are asserting trademark rights. Trademark symbols can signify many things, but one of their most important functions is to let others know your name or logo is protected.


There are three main trademark symbols – ®, ™, and ℠ – that are often used in superscript form to identify trademarks. This page answers questions like what is a trademark symbol and how and when the different trademark symbols are used.
