The TM™ and ® symbols get mixed up more than you’d think. Use ™ when you want to mark a phrase or logo as your brand’s trademark but haven’t registered it, and ® when your mark is officially registered with the government. They show up in legal disclaimers, marketing copy, and product packaging. Mixing them up can cause confusion, so keep ™ and ® straight to signal whether your claim is pending or fully protected.