The trademark symbols ™ and ® indicate the legal status of a trademark and serve to notify the public that the owner claims proprietary rights.
The ™ symbol (Trademark) is used for marks that are not yet registered but are claimed by the owner. The ® symbol (Registered Trademark) may only be used for trademarks that are officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Use of the ® symbol for an unregistered mark is prohibited and may constitute fraud or false advertising, potentially resulting in penalties or the rejection of future trademark applications.