TM is the abbreviation of TradeMark, which includes both the registered trademark R and the direct use of unregistered trademarks that have not been approved by the Trademark Office.

Marking TM can play a certain protective role, but if the trademark has not been approved and registered by the Trademark Office, its legal protection will not be strong. Only when the unregistered trademark reaches a certain level of popularity , can obtain legal protection to a certain extent according to Article 58 of the Trademark Law. "TM" is a trademark and "R" is a registered trademark. The two have different levels of legal protection. When the trademark has not become a registered trademark, mark the "TM" mark. This tells the public that this graphic or text is used as a "trademark" for goods or services, not a name or an advertisement, so that you can avoid it. The marked graphics or text flow into the public domain and cannot be applied to become registered trademarks and enjoy exclusive rights.

At the same time, the "TM" mark can also be used as proof of using the graphic or text as a trademark. When applying for a registered trademark, you have the right to use it first.