To my understanding a "Trademark" is only to be used once an application has been registered. You can however use the (TM/SM) symbol without even sending in an application based on the sole purpose to claim a trademark. A registered trademark (R) on the other hand is a legal registration federally.
My question is when dose one want to register a trademark? In my situation I will be running a website that isn't an established business. It will be solely ran online so branding will be important and maybe in the future expanded to physical locations in the USA. Would I want a trademark or a registered trademark in this case?
Also I noticed PayPal(TM) uses the (TM) symbol whereas eBay(R) uses the registered symbol respectively. I know for a fact PayPal is registered however is their use of the (TM) symbol indicating a pending trademark (re-registering) or are they simply using the (TM). Stupid question but was curious.
My question is when dose one want to register a trademark? In my situation I will be running a website that isn't an established business. It will be solely ran online so branding will be important and maybe in the future expanded to physical locations in the USA. Would I want a trademark or a registered trademark in this case?
Also I noticed PayPal(TM) uses the (TM) symbol whereas eBay(R) uses the registered symbol respectively. I know for a fact PayPal is registered however is their use of the (TM) symbol indicating a pending trademark (re-registering) or are they simply using the (TM). Stupid question but was curious.