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ARTICLE · 02 DECEMBER 2025

Trademark Symbols Explained: How To Protect Your Brand In Canada

In Canada, trademark owners may wish to use trademark symbols — i.e., ®, TM, MC and MD — to signify a claimed trademark and ward off competitors.

CanadaIntellectual Property

In Canada, trademark owners may wish to use trademark symbols — i.e., ®, TM, MC and MD — to signify a claimed trademark and ward off competitors. Not all symbols are created equal, however, and it is important to understand the differences between them, their significance, and proper use.

Different symbols have different meanings

A superscripted "TM", or its French equivalent "MC" ("marque de commerce"), can be used to indicate a claim to either a registered or unregistered trademark. By contrast, the symbols ®, and its French equivalent MD ("marque déposée"), are limited to registered trademarks. For marks used in the province of Québec, the Office Québécois de la langue française accepts the use of either the French or English version of the symbols.

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The preceding is intended as a timely update on Canadian intellectual property and technology law. The content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. To obtain such advice, please communicate with our offices directly.

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