Trademark symbol


The trademark symbol is a symbol to indicate that the preceding mark is a trademark, specifically an unregistered trademark. It complements the registered trademark symbol which is reserved for trademarks registered with an appropriate government agency.
In Canada, an equivalent marque de commerce symbol, is used in French. Canada also has an official mark symbol,, to indicate that a name or design used by Canadian public authorities is protected. Some German publications, especially dictionaries, also use a Warenzeichen grapheme,, which is informative and independent of the actual protection status of the name.

Use

Use of the trademark symbol indicates an assertion that a word, image, or other sign is a trademark; it does not indicate registration or impart enhanced protections. Registered trademarks are indicated using the registered trademark symbol,, and in many jurisdictions it is unlawful or illegal to use the registered trademark symbol with a mark that has not been registered.
The service mark symbol,, is used to indicate the assertion of a service mark. The service mark symbol is less commonly used than the trademark sign, especially outside the United States.
On social media, the trademark symbol has seen use in an ironic fashion, highlighting a concept as if it were important enough to warrant its own trademark, for example, "Official Bisexual Haircut™". This is a non-standard usage of the symbol, which confers no special legal rights.

Non-standard substitutions

The letters and are sometimes seen paired in an attempt to emulate the trademark symbol. Methods include