Trademark Q&A

Can the symbol “R” referring to a registered mark or “TM” standing for a trademark be included in a trademark sought to be registered?

“R” is generally used in trade to refer to a registered trademark and “TM” is a sign which signifies the subject as a trademark. Any trademark right holder or a registered user may show either of them in his/her trademark. Thus, they have no distinctiveness and exclusivity. In consequence, neither of them can be used as part of a trademark sought to be registered.