What trademark does Apple use?

Asked by: Hilbert Stroman  |  Last update: February 6, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (8 votes)

Apple uses numerous trademarks, most famously the Apple logo (the bitten apple) and the word "Apple," alongside product names like iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Siri, and service names like Apple Music, iCloud, and its App Store; they protect both word and logo marks for hardware, software, and services, marking them as registered (®) or trademarks (™).

Why is the Apple symbol bitten?

The Apple logo has a bite taken out of it for a simple, practical design reason: scale, so people recognize it as an apple and not another round fruit like a cherry, especially when the logo is small; designer Rob Janoff confirmed this, calling other theories "wonderful urban legends," though the "byte" pun and connections to computing or biblical stories (like Adam and Eve's forbidden fruit) are popular myths. 

Why did Apple stop using the i prefix?

"There might be marketing experts who say Apple would be crazy to drop the prefix — it's still in front of some of the greatest brands ever," says Segall, "but it can't be protected, and for too long there have been companies with 'i' internet-connected things, and that's an issue for Apple, known for innovation."

What branding does Apple use?

Simplicity. Creativity. Humanity. They call these their three lenses, and, according to Tor Myhren, VP of Marketing Communications at Apple, “If a product is not made up of these things, it's not Apple”.

How to type the TM symbol on Apple?

For instance, with the U.S. input source selected, pressing Option + 2 enters the trademark symbol (™).

Can I Use “Apple” As A Trademark?

22 related questions found

How to get ♡ on iPhone?

You can put a heart on an iPhone by using it as a text message reaction (tap and hold a message, then select heart), adding it as a custom icon for a Focus Mode in Settings to show on the status bar, or by typing the emoji symbol directly from the emoji keyboard. For lock screen personalization, apps like Widgetsmith or WidgetClub offer customizable heart widgets. 

How to get the TM symbol?

To use the trademark symbol (™), use keyboard shortcuts like Alt+0153 (Windows) or Option+2 (Mac), or type (TM) and let AutoCorrect change it; for the registered symbol (®), use Alt+0174 (Windows) or Option+R (Mac). You can also copy/paste symbols from the web or use your device's special character/emoji keyboard for ™, ℠ (service mark), and ®.
 

What is the brand mark of Apple?

The original Apple logo, designed by Ronald Wayne, shows an image of Isaac Newton reading a book under a tree. It captures the moment right before an apple fell on his head. The design includes the company name in a ribbon wrapping around the image.

Is the Apple logo a trademark?

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, iTunes, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. Apple Vision Pro is a trademark of Apple Inc.

Can I rename Siri to Jarvis?

No, you can't directly rename Siri to "Jarvis" in the standard settings, but you can use Apple's Shortcuts app (especially with the new Vocal Shortcuts in iOS 18) to create a custom trigger phrase like "Hey Jarvis" that activates Siri, effectively giving you the experience you want. This trick uses Voice Control to map your custom phrase to the "Siri" system command, making your iPhone respond to "Jarvis" instead of "Hey Siri". 

What is the meaning of Apple 🍎?

The apple emoji (🍎) symbolizes diverse concepts like love, knowledge, temptation, health, and abundance, rooted in mythology (Eden, Greek myths) and culture (teacher's gift, "apple pie"). It represents fertility, beauty, wisdom, and temptation in stories, while modern uses include health ("An apple a day...") and cultural pride ("Big Apple").
 

Why did Apple remove the Rainbow logo?

The “bite” also played on the word "byte," a unit of computer information. In 1998, when Jobs returned to Apple, he made the logo simpler by removing the rainbow. It became just one color, reflecting his belief that “Simple can be harder than complex.

Why did Steve Jobs call it apple?

The two decided on the name "Apple" after Jobs returned from the All One Farm commune in Oregon and told Wozniak about his time in the farm's apple orchard. Jobs originally planned to produce bare printed circuit boards of the Apple I and sell them to computer hobbyists for $50 (equivalent to about $280 in 2024) each.

What does an upside down apple mean?

Originally the Apple Logo on macbooks were upside down because Steve Jobs prioritised user experience and wanted them to see it the right way up while opening the lid.

Is there hidden symbolism in apple's logo?

The bite made it instantly recognizable as an apple and solved a basic design problem. That's it. There was no hidden symbolism, no clever pun, and no intentional reference to the Bible. Janoff even said he didn't notice the “byte” connection until people started pointing it out after the fact.

What cannot be trademarked?

The following things cannot be registered as trademarks: Deceptive Words, Names, Phrases, Slogans (they are misleading) Merely Descriptive Words (e.g., Best ice cream, Red car) Merely Decorative Features (they don't identify source)

Is Siri a trademark?

Apple, Apple TV, the Apple logo, Apple Music, Apple Watch, Digital Crown, HomePod, HomePod mini, iMessage, iPad, iPadOS, iPhone, iTunes, Mac, macOS, Safari, Shazam, Siri, and watchOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions.

Is Google a trademark?

Google's first registered trademark was for its name "Google." The company filed for the trademark on September 15, 1997, and it was officially registered on February 2, 1999. This trademark covered various goods and services related to search engines, online advertising, and internet-related technologies.

What are the 4 types of logos?

While there are several ways to categorize logos, four common types focus on text, symbols, or their combination: Wordmarks (text-focused), Lettermarks/Monograms (initials), Brandmarks/Symbols (icon/image), and Combination Marks (symbol + text), often with a core set of variations including Primary, Secondary, Submark, and Favicon for a flexible visual identity. 

Why is the iPhone logo half apple?

The Apple logo is half-bitten for a simple, practical design reason: scale, so it wouldn't be mistaken for another round fruit like a cherry, but it also plays on the word "byte," a computer term, though this was a happy coincidence, not the original intent, according to designer Rob Janoff. The bite ensures the logo remains instantly recognizable as an apple, even when very small, a common challenge in logo design. 

Did apple have to pay the Beatles?

In 1978, Apple Corps, the Beatles-founded holding company and owner of their record label, Apple Records, filed a lawsuit against Apple Computer for trademark infringement. The suit was settled in 1981 for the then-undisclosed amount of US$80,000 (equivalent to $276,700 in 2024) being paid to Apple Corps.

Should I use TM or C?

Use ™ for an unregistered trademark (brand name/logo) to claim rights, ® for a federally registered trademark (requires official approval), and © for copyrighted creative works (books, music, art) to show ownership, with ™ and © being informal notices, while ® signifies full legal protection in the US.
 

Which is bigger, TM or R?

Neither ™ (TM) nor ® (R) is inherently "bigger" in size, but ® (Registered Trademark) signifies a much stronger legal status and broader protection than ™ (Trademark); ™ is used for unregistered marks to claim rights, while ® can only be used after a mark is officially registered with a government patent and trademark office (like the USPTO in the U.S.), offering federal protection and the ability to sue for damages, making it legally "bigger" and more powerful for brand owners. 

How to type TM Apple?

Using Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Mac provides built-in keyboard shortcuts for typing these symbols: Copyright Symbol (©) Shortcut: Press Option + G. Registered Symbol (®) Shortcut: Press Option + R. Trademark Symbol (™) Shortcut: Press Option + 2.