The main differences are as follows:

1. Different concepts

R mark: indicates a registered trademark, which is compulsorily protected by the relevant intellectual property laws of the place of registration.

TM logo: It means an icon, indicating that the icon is being used, but it does not have mandatory protection by law, except for the trademarks of individual well-known companies.

2. Different meanings

TM mark: The notice of acceptance of this trademark has been obtained, which means that the trademark can be used, but the registration may not be successful (American trademarks usually add TM).

R mark: This trademark has not only been accepted but has been successfully registered.

3. Is it protected by law?

R mark: A successfully registered trademark is protected by national law, that is, the trademark with R mark is protected by national law.

TM mark: Trademarks with the TM mark are not necessarily protected by the country (US trademarks usually add TM).

Extended information

Trademark validity period:

According to Article 39 of the Trademark Law, a registered trademark is valid for ten years, starting from the date of approval of registration. Calculated from date. You can renew and pay the renewal fee twelve months before the expiration of the validity period. Each renewal is still valid for ten years. There is no limit to the number of renewals. If an application is not made within this period, a six-month extension period may be granted. If the renewal of registration is not submitted within the extension period, the Trademark Office will cancel the registered trademark and make an announcement.

Purposes of trademarks:

1. Business trademarks

refers to producers or operators using specific logos or company names on the goods they manufacture or operate. This kind of logo is also called "factory logo", "store logo" or "division logo".

2. Certification trademarks

are controlled by an organization that has the ability to supervise certain goods or services, and are used by units or individuals other than the organization for their goods or services. , a mark used to prove the origin, raw materials, manufacturing method, quality or other specific quality of the goods or services; such as: green food mark, genuine leather mark, pure wool mark, electrician mark, etc.

3. Grade trademarks

Grade refers to the same trademark or different trademarks used on a commodity with different quality, specifications and grades. Some of these trademarks have the same name, but different graphics or text fonts; some have the same graphics, but are distinguished by different colors, different papers, different printing techniques or other signs in order to facilitate the differentiation of different product qualities; and some are Use different brand names or graphics to distinguish them.

4. Group trademarks

Group trademarks refer to several trademarks used to distinguish similar goods due to differences in variety, specification, grade, and price. And treat these trademarks as a group and submit an application for registration at one time. Group trademarks are similar to grade trademarks;

5. Family trademarks

Family trademarks are based on a certain trademark and then combine it with various words or graphics , a trademark used on various goods of the same enterprise, also called a "derivative trademark".

6. Alternate trademarks

Alternate trademarks are also called storage trademarks, which refer to registering several trademarks on the same goods or similar goods at the same time or separately. They may not be used immediately after registration. It is stored first and then used when needed.

7. Defensive trademarks

Defensive trademarks refer to well-known trademark owners who, in order to prevent others from using their trademarks on different categories of goods, separate their trademarks on non-similar goods. Registered, this kind of trademark is called a defensive trademark. At present, my country’s trademark laws do not have relevant provisions on “defensive trademarks”.