Frequently Asked Questions

How does the TM symbol help in staking a claim in a design?

The TM symbol, standing for Trademark, is a significant tool for businesses to stake a claim in a design, logo, name, phrase, or word that represents their business. Although the TM symbol does not provide legal protection, it serves as a clear indication of a company's intent to move forward with obtaining a legal trademark. This is particularly useful when a company has a new phrase, logo, word, or design that it plans to register through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). By using the TM symbol, a company can alert competitors that it plans to use a particular design for its business, thereby staking its claim. However, it's important to note that using a mark that infringes on someone else's trademark can still lead to legal trouble. Therefore, before adding the TM symbol to a mark, it's crucial to conduct thorough research to ensure that no similar mark already exists in the Trademark Electronic Search System.