Sorry, Teresa. You are right.

My understanding of this is as follows:

® is for registered trademarks (especially for product or business names).

™ designates a trademark that may or may not be registered, but usually isn't registered.

© is for a copyright of content (photos, written work, etc) that is claimed but not necessarily registered.

Dave above is correct.

To make it even more complicated, there are state level and federal level marks. (For example, I never worked outside state boundaries, but held State TMs and State R for several things in both MA and MO.)

The R is registered in the USA at the Patent & Trademark office and require work, research and $. Provides nation-wide protection.

Anyone can use the TM symbol without actually registering. It puts people on notice that someone is claiming a name. e.g. DavidLMO TM David Laderoute.

Service marks add the new wrinkle - related to services, not physical products; e.g. Gardening by DavidLMO SM David Laderoute.

This entire post is Copyright 2016 by David Laderoute All Rights Reserved.

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Now please - Don't ask about PPAF