Tavaramerkintö

Tavaramerkintö, often translated as "trademark notice" or "symbol of registration," is a symbol used to indicate that a trademark has been registered with the relevant government authority. The most common symbol used for this purpose is the ® symbol. Its use signifies that the owner has exclusive rights to use the mark in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered.

The ® symbol can only be used after a trademark has been officially registered. Using it without a valid registration can be considered misrepresentation or even fraud, potentially leading to legal consequences. In many jurisdictions, there is no legal requirement to use this symbol, but it serves as a clear deterrent to potential infringers and informs the public about the registered status of the mark.

Before registration, businesses may use other symbols like TM (for trademarks) or SM (for service marks) to claim rights to their marks, even if they are not yet officially registered. These symbols indicate that the user considers the mark to be their trademark or service mark and is asserting their rights to it. However, they do not carry the same legal weight as the ® symbol, which specifically denotes federal or national registration. The presence of the ® symbol is a strong indicator of legal protection and ownership.