What does ® mean?
The ® symbol (an R in a circle) means that a trademark is registered with the Norwegian Industrial Property Office or a similar authority in another country. It shows that a name, logo or other distinguishing mark has legal protection.
When can you use ®?
You can use ® when
- the trademark is registered in Norway or in other countries
- you are the holder of the trademark registration
- you have the right to use the registered trademark, for example through a licence or an agreement
Important
In Norway, it may be unlawful to use ® if the trademark is not registered, see the Marketing Control Act.
What does TM mean?
The TM symbol (short for Trade Mark) means that a name, logo or other distinguishing mark is used as a trademark, even if it is not registered.
TM is primarily a signal to the market. It does not provide the same legal protection as the ® symbol.
When is TM used?
TM can be used when
- the trademark is not registered
- a trademark application has been filed and is under examination
- it is desirable to make clear that the mark is intended to function as a trademark
Difference between TM and ®
- TM - used without registration, does not provide formal protection
- ® - used only for registered trademarks, provides legal protection
What does © mean?
The © symbol (a C in a circle) means that a work is protected by copyright.
A work may, for example, be
- text
- images
- music
- film
- graphic design
- digital works
You automatically obtain copyright when you create a work that meets the requirements of the Norwegian Copyright Act. No registration is required.
When can you use ©?
You can use © to
- make it clear that you own the work
- mark that the work is protected by copyright in commercial contexts
- provide notice of copyright, even though protection arises automatically
What does Ⓟ mean?
The Ⓟ symbol (a P in a circle) refers to rights in a sound recording (phonogram). It shows that the producer holds rights to the recording itself, and that others may not copy, distribute or use the recording commercially without permission.
Typical rights holders include
- record companies
- producers
- self-releasing artists and podcast creators
You do not need to register the right, and it applies independently of the copyright in the underlying music or lyrics.
When is Ⓟ used?
Ⓟ is commonly used
- on albums, singles and EPs
- in metadata on streaming services
- on CDs, vinyl releases and digital downloads
- in connection with remixes, live recordings and other sound recordings
Example
A song may have © for the composition and Ⓟ for the recording.
What does Ⓓ mean?
The Ⓓ symbol (a D in a circle) means that a design is registered with the Norwegian Industrial Property Office. It shows that the appearance of a product is protected and may not be copied without permission.
When can you use Ⓓ?
You can use Ⓓ when
- the design is registered in Norway
- you are the holder of the design registration
- you have the right to use the registered design, for example through a licence or an agreement
Note
Ⓓ is less standardised internationally than ® and ©, so it is used less frequently globally.
