registered trademark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, legal, business
Quick answer
What does “registered trademark” mean?
A legally protected word, symbol, or phrase used by a company to uniquely identify its goods or services.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legally protected word, symbol, or phrase used by a company to uniquely identify its goods or services.
The concept of legal branding and intellectual property protection, often symbolized by the ® symbol. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a characteristic or feature strongly associated with a particular person or entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal principles are identical. Spelling differences follow national conventions (e.g., 'trademark' is one word in both; UK may use 'trade mark' as two words in some legal contexts). There is no significant difference in usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations of legal protection, brand identity, and corporate ownership in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in legal, business, and commercial contexts in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “registered trademark” in a Sentence
[Company] holds the registered trademark for [Product/Name].[Symbol/Word] is a registered trademark of [Company].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “registered trademark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company decided to trademark the new slogan.
- You must register it to trademark it properly.
American English
- We need to trademark our app's icon.
- They successfully trademarked the product name.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for branding, marketing, and legal discussions about intellectual property.
Academic
Used in law, marketing, and business studies papers discussing intellectual property rights.
Everyday
Recognized on product packaging and in advertising; precise meaning may not be known.
Technical
Precise legal term with specific criteria for registration and enforcement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “registered trademark”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “registered trademark”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “registered trademark”
- Using '™' and '®' interchangeably. Using 'registered trademark' as a verb (one registers a trademark). Confusing it with 'copyright' or 'patent'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. ™ can denote an unclaimed or unregistered trademark. ® signifies a trademark that has been officially registered with a government trademark office, granting stronger legal protections.
No. Using the ® symbol for an unregistered trademark is illegal in many jurisdictions and can result in penalties or loss of rights.
Words, phrases, logos, symbols, designs, sounds, colours, or even scents that distinguish goods or services can potentially be registered, provided they are distinctive.
Registration typically lasts for 10 years from the filing date, but it can be renewed indefinitely upon payment of fees, as long as it remains in use.
A legally protected word, symbol, or phrase used by a company to uniquely identify its goods or services.
Registered trademark: in British English it is pronounced /ˌredʒ.ɪ.stəd ˈtreɪd.mɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌredʒ.ɪ.stɚd ˈtreɪd.mɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's her registered trademark. (Metaphorical: a characteristic habit)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the circled R (®) as a Registered 'Ring' of protection around a Trademark.
Conceptual Metaphor
OWNERSHIP IS A SEAL (The ® symbol is a seal of legal ownership). BRAND IS A FACE (The trademark is the recognizable face of the company).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key legal implication of a 'registered trademark' versus an unregistered one?