A symbol that communicates a claim
Trademarks help customers recognize the source of goods or services. A mark can be a word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination that performs that source-identifying role. Placing ™ beside it tells the public that you regard it as a trademark.
“We are using this as a trademark.” The symbol does not say, “Every use of these words belongs to us,” and it does not say, “This is federally registered.”
What ™ does not prove
Not registration
TM is different from ®. A pending application also remains different from an issued registration.
Not unlimited ownership
Trademark protection connects a mark to particular goods or services and market context.
Not automatic enforceability
Distinctiveness, priority, territory, use, and conflicts can all matter.
TM, SM, and the registered symbol
USPTO public guidance distinguishes TM for goods and SM for services, while also using “trademark” as a general term that can cover both. After federal registration, ® can give notice of that registration within its proper scope.
- ™ — trademark claim, conventionally associated with goods.
- SM or ℠ — service mark claim, associated with services.
- ® — notice of a completed registration, not merely a claim or pending application.
Where to place ™
The symbol usually follows the mark and is often raised: Example Brand™. Keep it close enough that readers understand which text or logo it qualifies. Many brand systems mark the first or most prominent use and avoid repeating it in every sentence.
Use the Unicode character when possible. It remains selectable, searchable, and accessible at different sizes. If a font does not support it, superscript ordinary letters TM are a practical fallback.
The technical identity of ™
Unicode assigns the name TRADE MARK SIGN and the value U+2122. In HTML you can write ™ or ™. In CSS generated content, use \\2122 with appropriate spacing or escaping.
Typing methods differ by device: Option + 2 on the standard Mac ABC layout, Alt + 0153 on a Windows numeric keypad, and Text Replacement or copy-and-paste on mobile devices.
Frequently asked questions
What does the trademark symbol look like?
The trademark symbol is ™: small capital letters T and M in a single Unicode character. It is commonly placed just above the text baseline beside a mark.
Does ™ mean a trademark is registered?
No. TM communicates a trademark claim without representing federal registration. The circled R, ®, is the conventional registration notice.
Who can use the TM symbol?
The USPTO says TM can be used for goods even without filing a federal application. That statement does not guarantee ownership or enforceability, and rules outside the United States can differ.
Should TM appear every time a brand name is used?
Many owners emphasize the first or most prominent use rather than marking every repetition. The best practice depends on the document, brand guidance, jurisdiction, and legal strategy.
Is TM part of the brand name?
Usually it is a notice displayed beside the mark, not a letter sequence that becomes part of the name itself. Database records and registrations may represent the underlying mark separately from the notice symbol.