TM is the abbreviation of TRADEMARK. American trademarks are usually marked with TM, which does not necessarily refer to a registered trademark. In China, it only means that an application for trademark registration has been filed, but no trademark registration certificate has been obtained.
And R is the abbreviation of REGISTER. When used in trademarks, it means registered trademarks. The Implementation Regulations of my country's Trademark Law stipulates that, To use a registered trademark, you can indicate "registered trademark" or registered mark on the product, product packaging, instructions or other attachments. Registration marks include (note plus ○) and (R plus ○). When using a registered mark, it should be marked on the upper right corner or lower right corner of the trademark.
Therefore, TM and R are trademark marks of different countries and have no special relationship. Some domestic companies do not understand the legal provisions and blindly imitate American companies and use the TM mark on their trademarks.
Many drug companies now use the TM trademark to mislead consumers, so it is best to look for the R mark when buying drugs
In recent years, some companies have used their TM (TradeMark, that is, trademarks) in drug advertisements. (meaning) trademark, some provincial (autonomous and municipal) drug regulatory authorities have approved such advertisements promoting the TM trademark and have registered them with the national drug regulatory department. However, reporters recently learned from relevant departments that pharmaceutical packaging, labels and instructions with the TM logo are no longer required to be filed.
Trademarks with TM must not be used as registered trademarks
The State Food and Drug Administration stipulates that trademarks with the TM logo have not yet been registered and are trademarks without any approval. Texts and patterns, in accordance with the requirements of the "Regulations on the Administration of Drug Packaging Labels and Instructions" (Interim), may not be added to drug packaging or labels without authorization and used as registered trademarks.
Our province will no longer register trademarks with the TM logo
For this reason, the Jilin Provincial Food and Drug Administration also issued a notice. The notice pointed out that the provincial bureau will no longer conduct registration of trademarks with the TM logo. Registration of pharmaceutical packaging, labels, and instructions for trademarks with the TM logo; before the national bureau makes clear regulations, the packaging, labels, and instructions for trademarks with the TM logo that have been approved by the provincial bureau can continue to be used.
TM only means that it has filed an application with the National Trademark Office
Industry insiders say that in China, the TM trademark does not protect the trademark. What TM means is that the trademark has been filed with the State Trademark Office. The Trademark Office has filed an application, and the National Trademark Office has also issued a "Notice of Acceptance" and entered the opposition period. This prevents others from filing repeated applications and also indicates that existing trademark holders have priority to use the trademark. The approval process and time for national drug trademarks are usually within 18 months. Due to time constraints, many drug manufacturers often market the product without indicating TM before formal approval.
Industry insiders remind consumers that because American trademarks are usually marked with TM, in my country it only means that an application for trademark registration has been filed and no trademark registration certificate has been obtained; and R (abbreviation of Register) really means It is a registered trademark. Therefore, when purchasing medicine, beware of salespeople using the name of TM to exaggerate the efficacy, thereby being misled and defrauded.