In food, TM means Trademark. It's an informal symbol indicating that a brand name, logo, or slogan used on a food product is claimed as a trademark by the owner to identify the source of the goods.
Understanding the TM Symbol
The "TM" symbol stands for "Trademark". It is typically used by a company to give notice to the public that they claim exclusive rights to a specific mark (like a name, logo, or even a phrase) as a source identifier for their goods or services.
Based on the reference provided:
The symbol "TM" (meaning trademark) or "SM" (meaning service mark) is an informal indication that the term or logo is being used to signify source but has not been federally registered.
This means when you see "TM" on food packaging:
- Source Identification: The company using the TM symbol is claiming that this specific name or logo is what consumers use to identify their particular product (the source) among others.
- Informal Notice: It's a public announcement of the company's claim of trademark rights.
- Unregistered Status: Crucially, the TM symbol indicates that the trademark has not yet been formally registered with the relevant government intellectual property office (like the USPTO in the United States). The company is asserting common law rights, but not necessarily the stronger rights granted by federal registration.
Why Use TM on Food Products?
Companies use the TM symbol on food products for several reasons:
- Claiming Rights: To immediately inform competitors and the public that they consider the mark their intellectual property.
- Deterrence: To discourage others from using the same or a confusingly similar mark on their own food or related products.
- Building Brand Identity: To reinforce the association between the mark and their specific product, helping consumers recognize and trust the brand.
TM vs. ®
It's important to distinguish between the TM symbol and the ® symbol.
| Symbol | Meaning | Registration Status | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| TM | Trademark | Unregistered (or pending) | Goods (like food) |
| ® | Registered TM | Federally Registered Trademark | Goods and Services (only after registration) |
Using the ® symbol before the trademark is officially registered can lead to legal issues. Therefore, companies typically use TM while their registration application is pending or if they are relying solely on common law rights without pursuing formal registration.
Examples in the Food Industry
You might see the TM symbol used in various places on food packaging or advertising:
- Next to a brand name (e.g., "Delicious Treats TM")
- Beside a product-specific logo
- After a unique product line name or a marketing slogan
Example: Imagine a new brand of organic snacks launches under the name "Harvest Bites". Before they receive federal trademark registration, they might label their packaging "Harvest Bites TM" and use the TM symbol next to their logo. This puts others on notice that they claim rights to that name and logo for their snack products.
Using TM helps protect the brand identity that a food company builds through quality products and marketing, even before formal registration is complete.
