You can put the TM next to your brand at any time without seeking permission from anyone. You can still employ the TM symbol if you have no plans to register your trademark anywhere.
The symbol merely indicates that you believe this is your brand.
To your benefit, most people have no understanding of how the symbol works or what it means. Most will automatically assume you are protecting your brand.
So, use the TM with your brand while planning to convert it to a circle R for complete trademark protection.
The©
Many brand owners mistakingly place circle C with their brand, indicating their copyright. However, copyright does not protect brands; it protects content creation.
When you employ the circle C symbol—indicating copyright ownership next to your brand, you are broadcasting to the market that you know nothing about intellectual property rights. You are basically advertising that you will be an easy target.
Summary
There is no restriction on your ability to put the TM symbol next to your brand whenever you please. It is prudent to employ this strategy when your trademark registration is pending, and you must complete the process successfully to use the circle R to protect your trademark.
You must understand how these symbols work to protect your interests and brand. Using the wrong symbol can be dangerous or damaging and may lead to someone else registering your mark.
Trademarking your brand is crucial for its success and longevity. Navigating the complexities and bureaucracy when registering your trademark can be overwhelming. We understand your concerns and have the knowledge, skills, and experience from filing countless trademark applications to guide your application to approval.
Trademark Factory®’s unique all-inclusive 100% cash-back guarantee of successful trademark registration removes all those challenges off your shoulders.
We do all the work, and our professional trademark attorneys and specialized trademark staff will do the name search, respond to all office actions, and successfully deliver your trademark registration. At the same time, you build your business and grow your brand.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you be successful.
Subscribe to Trademark Wednesdays, our weekly newsletter where we'll send fun and informative trademarking topics straight to your inbox.
Disclaimer: Please note that this post and this video are not and are not intended as legal advice. Your situation may be different from the facts assumed in this post or video. Your reading this post or watching this video does not create a lawyer-client relationship between you and Trademark Factory International Inc., and you should not rely on this post or this video as the only source of information to make important decisions about your intellectual property.