How should I use the ® and ™ symbols?

Photo of Tomas Orsula

Written by Tomas Orsula

Senior Trademark Attorney

You can use the ® symbol if your mark has been successfully registered as a trademark with an intellectual property office. Be sure to only use it in countries where you hold your registration. In most countries, the usage out of the symbol is not permitted, if you don't have a trademark registered there.

On the other hand, the usage of the ™ symbol is not governed by any law. Usually, it's used by entrepreneurs to signal their intention to get a registered trademark or that the trademark is currently being assessed by an IPO and will likely obtain the ® symbol soon.

Both symbols are most commonly placed in the upper-right or lower-right corner of the mark, although no exact placement is dictated.

You can learn in our Trademark Academy article on Definitions and symbols.

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