Understanding the Concept of TM
The term TM is a common abbreviation used, especially in business lingo, and stands for ‘Trademark’. In essence, it represents a symbol or word legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. The core purpose of using TM is to protect the brand’s distinctiveness, originality, and particular image from being exploited by competitors. However, using TM has various implications and uses.
TM vs ®
TM and ® are both used to assert rights over a certain word, logo, slogan, or design; but they’re not quite the same. While TM can be used by any entity to claim a particular trade symbol, using ® indicates that the mar or logo has been officially registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office or relevant national equivalent. To put it simply, TM states your intent to claim rights to a certain mark, while ® proves you have those rights legally.
Where and When to Use TM
Typically, you should use TM whenever you claim ownership rights to a certain mark/brand but it has not been registered yet. There’s no requirement for how/where TM needs to be used; however, it’s usually prudent to place it in a well-visible spot (e.g., top right corner). Note that although using TM does not offer full legal protection, it can add weight to your case during any potential trademark disputes.
The Importance of TM
- It serves as a clear declaration of your intentions to the business world.
- Using TM helps prevent potential infringements as it warns others against using your brand name, logo, or symbol.
- Even though it doesn’t offer complete legal protection, having TM marked on your brand can be useful in a court of law.
Examples of TM Use
Social media platforms are abundant with businesses and individuals using TM. For instance, a startup may use a logo with TM until they have registered their trademark officially. Global brands like ‘NikeTM’ or ‘AppleTM’ use TM until their specific product or service has been officially registered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TM plays an important part in establishing brand identity and asserting rights over original marks, symbols or logos. However, while it does offer some legal weight, it is advised to seek full trademark registration for complete protection.
