TM SYMBOL: Parties claiming rights to particular trademarks may use the symbol TM next to their marks at any time – even prior to filing a trademark application. SM SYMBOL: A party claiming such right to a Service Mark may similarly use either the TM or the SM symbol. Registration is not necessary in order to use these particular symbols. THE  SYMBOL: The  symbol indicates that the trademark is a valid U.S. federally registered trademark. It is generally not permissible to use the  symbol in the U.S. unless you have a valid U.S. federally registered trademark. Additionally, merely filing a trademark application is not enough, one must wait until the trademark successfully completes the entire registration process before using the  symbol.