PixelClerks

Did you know that the keyboard can create trade mark symbols?



Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

Did you know that the keyboard can create trade mark symbols?

While getting a trade mark registered is a long drawn process, is creating trade mark symbols  using the keyboard considered legal, specially the registered trade mark?  How will anyone know that it is a symbol created by using the keyboard?  One can create symbols such as TM, SM, C and R using the keyboard. 

Comments

Please login or sign up to leave a comment

Join
mildredtabitha
I noticed that too and I doubt if it is illegal. You can include the trade mark symbols in your written research and print it. I have used them few times in the past.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
Just using keyboard symbols to 'trade mark' content can it not be copied? I thought only that which is legally trade marked could be safe - just a thought



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Steve5
I'm not sure either. This is probably something you'd want to look into more especially if you're planning on using it for something important.

But with general everyday stuff, it's probably okay. I've seen others use it 'cause they find easy and convenient. It really is up to you.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

EfficientNinja
You can also try using the "Character Map" app that is built-in for Windows. It lists all the symbols that you can use with text, including those listed above like the TM, C, and R.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

stbrians
It is very good the keyboard produces these trademarks. Ig they are legal then it is good. Now we can use them for our work.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Baburra
I don't think it is illegal but I don't think it will hold up in court if you don't actually file the papers to back it up. Although to be completely honest these days I'm not too sure since being the first to upload or come up with something is a bit easier to prove these days, but I think you still would need to put it through the process if you want it to to hold up as I don't think just putting the tm logo beside the title you wish to trademark would be sufficient.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
I agree with you. Having said that I wonder what the purpose is to permit users to mark content merely by using keyboard symbols. And as you have pointed out if anyone copies content where it is trade marked this way one cannot take it up with the authorities.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

stbrians
We can still use them whether legal or not. Nowadays people just copy others work and get away with it. Sime checks should be done to protect originality of writers.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Rumu
This is the second time am coming across this type of info. I checked it out the first time and noticed how possible it was creating trademark symbols using a keyboard.

The subject of creating a trademark with a keyboard being illegal or not sounds a bit awkward, sorry to say. Who is to know you used a keyboard in creating such? However, just like other works which requires a certain level of creativity and flexibility, a keyboard can only do a little.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
The problem will arise if the owner of the content takes it up if they see their content being copied and at that time I am sure whether those symbols are just keyboard symbols or obtained using the right route.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Adesuwa08
I have noticed it too and I don't see it as illegal either, through the feeds of news I scroll, there have been no one who was sued or encountered problems using keyboard trademark symbols. Before using it, it's best you seek the advise of professionals, so you can get more knowledge on it before applying just for safety of the unknown.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

kammy143
True . Symbols that is free for all , equals one cannot really claim that particular symbol because it is simply not theirs.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
How were you able to distinguish trade marks generated through the keyboard and through the registration process? I feel using the keyboard for creating trade marks is not quite right.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

SiamSEO
By checking them in the trademark database. I mean, there's obviously no way to distinguish if written text that has a trademark symboli is legit or not (How could there be? Text doesn't work that way...), but you can always just dig up the information yourself if you really want to make sure.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

kammy143
I have encountered these symbols before. In my opinion, I don't really think that using this symbols would pose as a threat of being sued. It is generally designed to be used by the public, else the wouldn't have placed it there on the first place.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Tronia
Yes, I knew that you can use your keyboard to create trademark symbols. I actually knew this for several years. You can also make many other "special" symbols by pressing certain buttons. You can easily find tables where it's listed how to.

Is it illegal to use this symbol? I have never heard that it would be and I know that a ton of different websites do use it.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

kammy143
True, the availability of these symbols were placed there in order to be used by people who has access to it. This makes it free for all to which I think, cannot be a basis for one to complain about a particular symbol within the program.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
If it is not illegal then why have a registration process at all? Would you know what the benefit is if one goes through the registration process or can one report trade marks created through the keyboard process?



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

tiffiecute
Well, I am somehow aware of that back of my mind. I am just not interested in it. But since it's a topic to be discussed, I can totally agree that anyone with a huge creativity in his mind, can innovatively create symbols and share it with the world.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

vinaya
In the internet world, everything can be easily stolen. Having a trademark or copyright symbol will never deter the thief to steal the intellectual property. Content being stolen is the part of the game.
Whether you want to use a trademark symbol or copyright symbol created by your keyboard is just a personal preference.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

kammy143
That is very true. One can easily get anything from the internet now a days and these contents are vulnerable to be stolen. Having copyright symbols seems to be a good idea if you really want to support your brand legally, which will really befit it in the end. On the other hand keyboard created symbols is like a makeshift product that cannot really be fully supported when it comes to anomalies due to it's free nature.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

gelotologist
Absolutely true, having trademarks for your writings or anything about putting it on your logo may seem illegal but it's just part of your own personal reference, like your the one who's making it uncopyrighted and you are just making sure that yours wouldn't be copied by some people at all.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
The question is if there is a process for proper registration why have that procedure if one can just use the keyboard for creating trade marks? I feel that one must go for proper registration and that would be the right way to protect one's work.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

DarthHazard
You can use your keyboard to create/use any of these symbols and to say that your products/content has been trademarked. There is nothing illegal about it and you won't get into any trouble (I believe, make sure to get some proper legal advice if you truly want to know). The only thing is that you won't actually get any of the actual and proper benefits of trade mark.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

iamawriter
By using trademarks with the help of the keyboard can anyone raise an objection if there is plagiarism? I am of the opinion it will not hold good as it is not registered. I will study the subject more for a proper understanding of the subject.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020
Ahh I'm speechless, my brain can't comprehend the level of complexity of the post I'm replying to.

Are you insinuating that any writing device may it be digital, electronic or manual that is used by any person to type in, make or print an output of a company acronym is in violation of the trademark law???

The answer is NO ! Unless your using the company registered official LOGO with the correct colors and design.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

DenisP
I'm not really understanding the question here. Of course it isn't illegal to use symbols - such as ©, ®, and ™ - even if your brand isn't actually copyrighted or trademarked. It might make you seem snobby or naive, but it certainly won't land you in jail or get you fined. Applying the same logic, this also doesn't mean that just adding the symbol at the end of your brand means that you can pursue others for copyright infringement.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

treecko142
I believe using typing those signs with a keyboard is illegal if the product isn't really trademarked yet, however if the business is too small and not really in direct competition with anyone, bigger companies would think that it's just a waste of time to sue. However, it is still illegal, so I'd say use at your own risk.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

DenisP
"I believe using typing those signs with a keyboard is illegal if the product isn't really trademarked yet…"

After doing a bit of research, I actually came across some facts about this that I didn't know.

As it turns out, using the "TM" symbol and certain others is in fact not illegal even if the product or service isn't registered.

"A party may use terms such as “trademark,” “trademark applied for,” “TM” and “SM” regardless of whether a mark is registered. These are not official or statutory symbols of federal registration."

However, the federal registration symbol (which is the letter R within a circle) cannot be used for unregistered products or services, as that is in fact illegal to do so.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

treecko142
Oh, I don't know about this, thanks for the information. It makes sense, I used to wonder why some have TM while others have (R), I just always forget to research lol.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020
Well you can make, type, print whatever you want and no one's going to prosecute you, if it's illegal then probably we should get rid of keyboards and touchpads all together.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Kakashi2020
Yes I know I also know that by using a pen one could write things on paper, by using a paint brush one could paint things.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

MomoStarr16
No it is not illegal. It is not a big deal at all. It is just a simple text to put in your word. To be legal with TM, you should register it first rather than using keyboard keys.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Barida
The TM as long as I know is just known as trademark, so there is no need to register as long as you are just working for a company. The company must have taken the necessary steps to ensure that they are registered before giving you any work to do for them.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

MomoStarr16
So I am wrong? That is the things people told about tm. You can't just put TM on a word or name or something. You need to be the real owner of that trademark.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

SiamSEO
Legality of something always depends on the jurisdiction you're in, but generally as long as the trademark is not registered by someone else it's OK. Obviously writing e.g., Coca-Cola Zero™ like this is not illegal, because I'm not claiming it's my trademark, but if I created a product named Freezy Diet Drink I could use ™ there even without registering it, although that wouldn't make much sense.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Barida
Honestly, I've always wondered how many of those symbols are created. In most of my works, I always get confused on how I can create such symbols and this has made me abandon lost of works that need me to make those symbols. Understanding now that I can create those symbols with the help of the keyboard is a huge relief to me for I can't wait to try it out when I get home to work.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Judas2018
I just figured this out like a year or two ago. It's useful information for the present and the future.



Are you sure you want to delete this post?