What is the SM symbol on a trademark?
Asked by: Mr. Kenton Bruen III | Last update: February 1, 2026Score: 5/5 (21 votes)
The SM symbol (℠) on a trademark stands for "Service Mark" and is used for services (like consulting or banking) instead of physical goods; like the ™ (Trademark) symbol for goods, it signifies a claim of ownership for an unregistered mark, alerting others to your rights before federal registration is complete, at which point the ® (Registered) symbol is used.
What does SM trademark mean?
2. What does SM mean? SM stands for service mark (often seen in superscript like this: SM). It functions similarly to the TM symbol, in that it is used to provide notice that rights in the mark are claimed, but it is used in connection only with a service, such as banking or legal services, rather than tangible goods.
Is SM the same as TM?
SM stands for “service mark” and works just like TM, but it's specifically used for services rather than products. If you run a business that offers services (like consulting, coaching, or legal services), you can use SM to claim ownership of your brand name or slogan, even if you haven't registered it yet.
What does SM stand for in copyright?
SM stands for service mark. Service marks are marks that represent services as opposed to goods. For example, Josh owns Gerben IP, which is a law firm. He offers legal services and therefore would use the SM service mark.
What does the symbol SM represent?
The trademark symbol SM stands for service mark and is used next to service marks, which promote a service. The SM symbol is a mark that represents services, such as dental services, house cleaning, and consulting services.
How to check if a logo already exists and if it is trademarked - Logo search tips
What is the SM symbol in copyright?
However, the “SM” Symbol means “Service Mark” and should be used with “Services” as opposed to “Goods.” Use of the “SM” Symbol indicates that the user of the mark considers the word or phrase to be their “trademark” that is used specifically with “services.”
What does the SM stand for?
"SM" has multiple meanings, most commonly Social Media in online contexts or Sadomasochism in certain communities, but it can also mean Samarium, Master of Science, Sergeant Major, or refer to specific entities like SM Town or Shanghai Metro, depending on the context.
Can I use the trademark symbol without registering?
Anyone can use a TM symbol regardless of whether they've successfully registered the trademark, or whether they've applied for a trademark at all. Even if the trademark application is rejected, the owner can continue to use the TM symbol.
What is the difference between SM and TM?
Use TM (™) if you are claiming a trademark for goods but haven't registered it yet. Use SM (℠) if you are claiming a service mark for services but haven't registered it yet.
What happens if someone uses your trademarked logo?
In that situation, you, as the trademark holder, can sue the other business for trademark infringement, because they have used your registered trademark without permission in a way that is likely to cause consumer confusion about the source of the goods or services, namely the shoes.
What are the 7 types of trademarks?
There isn't one definitive list of exactly seven types, but common categories focus on the nature of the mark (Word, Logo/Device, Shape, Color, Sound, Scent, Motion/Pattern) and the strength/function (Fanciful, Arbitrary, Suggestive, Descriptive, Generic, Service, Certification, Collective). Key types include Word Marks, Device Marks, Service Marks, Certification Marks, Sound Marks, Shape Marks, and Color Marks, often grouped under broader categories like "Unconventional" or "Non-Traditional" trademarks.
Do you have to put the trademark symbol every time?
Use of trademark symbols is not actually required by law, but doing so is beneficial. In fact, the ™ and SM symbols do not have any legal significance, but instead are informal ways of telling the world that you are claiming ownership of trademark rights in a word, phrase, and/or logo.
What is the old name of SM?
By the 1970s, Shoemart was a full-line department store, shifting its name from Shoemart to SM. In the 1980s, the company diversified and ventured into the supermarket and home appliance store business. It opened the first "Supermall" store in 1985 in Quezon City called SM City North EDSA.
What is better, trademark or LLC?
A trademark alone can't protect your assets from legal liability. For that, you'll need an LLC. An LLC will help to protect your personal assets if your business is sued, while a trademark will prevent others from using your brand identity without permission.
Is Taylor Swift's name trademarked?
Yes, Taylor Swift has trademarked many aspects of her brand, including her name, album titles, song lyrics, tour names, and even her cats' names, to control commercial use, prevent unauthorized merchandise, and maintain brand integrity, protecting everything from music to apparel and digital content across numerous countries. Her proactive strategy involves trademarking common phrases like "This Sick Beat," tour titles like "The Eras Tour," and even unique terms like "Swiftmas" and "Taylor-Con," securing control over her extensive creative output and brand extensions.
How much does it cost to use the TM or SM symbol on your trademark?
Trademark Cost Breakdown: The cost of trademark registration varies based on state and federal filing, as well as additional fees for maintenance and modifications. Federal vs. State Costs: Federal trademark fees range from $250 to $350 per class, while state trademarks typically cost between $50 and $100.
Should I use TM or SM?
What is the difference between SM and TM? A service mark serves the same essential purpose as a trademark — distinguishing the offerings of one proprietor or enterprise from those of another — while applying only to services, as opposed to products or goods.
What is SM used for?
The SM symbol is similar to TM but specifically indicates a service mark, used for services rather than goods. Like TM, it can be used regardless of registration status. The ® symbol, however, is reserved strictly for marks that have been officially registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
What does SM mean in trademark?
The SM symbol stands for "service mark" and indicates that a trademark is being used in connection with a specific service (e.g. legal services, accounting, dog walking, etc.) rather than goods. Similar to the ™ symbol, using the SM symbol does not require registration with the USPTO.
What symbols cannot be trademarked?
Widely used icons like stars, hearts, arrows, or equality signs cannot be registered as marks in standard character form. However, stylized renditions of these shapes and symbols may demonstrate sufficient distinctiveness for protection in appropriate categories.
Is it better to get a TM or a copyright?
Neither trademark (TM) nor copyright is inherently "better"; they protect different things, so the best choice depends on what you're shielding: trademarks protect brand identifiers (logos, names, slogans) for infinite duration with use, preventing consumer confusion, while copyrights protect original creative works (books, art, music, code) for life plus 70 years, preventing unauthorized copying. Often, you need both, like a trademark for your company logo and copyright for the artwork within that logo, to fully protect your brand and creative assets.
Can I put a Nike logo on a shirt for personal use?
Keep in mind that a trademark is different from copyright and offers protection to words, phrases, symbols, and designs that identify goods and services like Nike's “swoosh” or their slogan “Just Do It.” Using a trademarked logo without permission, even if it's for personal use, can also result in legal issues.
What does SM stand for in business?
SM: This stands for “service mark.” It is used in the exact same way and for the same purpose as TM, except that SM is commonly used for service-based businesses.
What is SM called?
It was originally known as Shoemart, from which the name SM is derived. SM Supermalls. Product type. Shopping mall chain.
Is SM a common abbreviation?
The most common interpretation of 'SM' is 'Social Media. ' In an age where platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok dominate our interactions—both personal and professional—this abbreviation serves as a shorthand for discussing these digital spaces.