The TM symbol is meant to provide notice to the public that a trademark owner claims a trademark right in the term or design. To clarify, this right can be associated with a trademark claim under a common law right, a state registration, or a federal registration. Therefore, you are not required to have completed a state or federal filing to use the TM symbol. A trademark that is federally registered is often identified with the “R” (within a circle) symbol, or registered mark: . The R-in-a-circle symbol can only be used in connection with an active federally registered trademark.