© or ™, that is the question

[jakesteele]

© or ™, that is the question

http://patents101.com/2010/09/difference-between-tm-sm/

I have often seen people on the web use the © or ™ symbols for phrases or names they have come up with and I have also started doing the same. One thing that confuses me is which is the most appropriate symbol to use at what time. Take the pharse/name True Skeptic that you see more and more of, I see TM more than anything for words/phrases like these, but from the link above it seems like the © is more appropriate. Which is best when?

Also, the ® symbol is one of curiosity to me.

Also, again, are there keystroke shortcuts you can use directly on windows without having to create a word document?

[Ziggurat]

I have often seen people on the web use the © or ™ symbols for phrases or names they have come up with and I have also started doing the same. One thing that confuses me is which is the most appropriate symbol to use at what time. Take the pharse/name True Skeptic that you see more and more of, I see TM more than anything for words/phrases like these, but from the link above it seems like the © is more appropriate. Which is best when?

TM is more appropriate. Short phrases generally cannot be copyrighted, especially if they aren't original to you. But phrases and even single words can be trademarked, at least for use within certain contexts. Of course, using TM with "True Skeptic" and similar phrases doesn't indicate a real trademark, it's a joke to imply a sort of debasement through commercialization, but the joke makes sense with TM, but not with ©.

Also, the ® symbol is one of curiosity to me.

Your link explains it.

Also, again, are there keystroke shortcuts you can use directly on windows without having to create a word document?

http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codealt.html

Alternatively (since I can never remember the codes), use the Character Map program (if you're using Windows).

[Gawdzilla]

http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/characterentities_famsupp_69.html

[rjh01]

I do not think trademark would be really relevant.

A trademark is
1. Abbr. TM A name, symbol, or other device identifying a product, officially registered and legally restricted to the use of the owner or manufacturer

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/trademark

See also the link in the OP which answers the question in the OP.

[arthwollipot]

I often use tm as a joke, like when I say "I've got some things to do in the Real Worldtm so I won't be around for a while".

And to look for shortcuts to special characters in Windows, I make extensive use of Charmap.exe. You'll find it in your /windows/system32 folder. It allows you to copy individual characters to the clipboard, but also gives you alt-key shortcuts to many of the most useful ones.

[Mojo]

Also, the ® symbol is one of curiosity to me.


Must be something to do with piracy.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

© or ™, that is the question

http://patents101.com/2010/09/difference-between-tm-sm/

I have often seen people on the web use the © or ™ symbols for phrases or names they have come up with and I have also started doing the same.

Copyrights and Trademarks are two different things.

The James Randi Educational Foundation would be trademarked. The articles Randi writes would be copyrighted.

[PixyMisa]

It's really simple:

Trademarks are marks used in trade.
Copyright is the right to copy.
Patents are being friendly to walking trees.

[Mashuna]

It's really simple:

Trademarks are marks used in trade.
Copyright is the right to copy.
Patents are being friendly to walking trees.

I always thought that Patents was the hire of camping equipment?

[jakesteele]

It's really simple:

Trademarks are marks used in trade.
Copyright is the right to copy.
Patents are being friendly to walking trees.

That's why I started this thread, sometimes people come up with things like True Skeptic and I always see the TM symbol, but I thought it should be C because it is saying that, no, you cannot reprint this phrase for your own personal uses. On the other hand, If I started a business and named it True Skeptic, inc., then I would use a trade mark. Have I got that right? Also, what about the R symbol?

[Pantaz]

That's why I started this thread, sometimes people come up with things like True Skeptic and I always see the TM symbol, but I thought it should be C because it is saying that, no, you cannot reprint this phrase for your own personal uses. On the other hand, If I started a business and named it True Skeptic, inc., then I would use a trade mark. Have I got that right? Also, what about the R symbol?


From http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/register.jsp

When can I use the trademark symbols TM, SM and ®?

Any time you claim rights in a mark, you may use the "TM" (trademark) or "SM" (service mark) designation to alert the public to your claim, regardless of whether you have filed an application with the USPTO. However, you may use the federal registration symbol "®" only after the USPTO actually registers a mark , and not while an application is pending. Also, you may use the registration symbol with the mark only on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the federal trademark registration.

[OnlyTellsTruths]

And to look for shortcuts to special characters in Windows, I make extensive use of Charmap.exe. You'll find it in your /windows/system32 folder. It allows you to copy individual characters to the clipboard, but also gives you alt-key shortcuts to many of the most useful ones.

Very useful. You can go to Start>Run and type charmap.

[Lothian]

....I always see the TM symbol, but I thought it should be C because it is saying that, no, you cannot reprint this phrase for your own personal uses. .....I see TM meaning the "real thing" as opposed to cheap imitation. So True SkepticTM is right in my eyes and distinguishes from the Pseudo SkepticsTM.

[Evilgiraffe]

Also, the ® symbol is one of curiosity to me.


Must be something to do with piracy.

Ba-dum tschhh!