SymbolHub

Legal Symbols

Copy legal symbols in one click: copyright ©, registered trademark ®, trademark ™, service mark ℠, section sign § and paragraph sign . On a Mac, Option + G types © and Option + R types ®.

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Click any symbol to copy it. 23 symbols

Citation and reference marks

7

Justice, contracts and seals

7

©, ® and ™: what each mark means

The three marks are often confused, but they make different claims:

  • © claims copyright in a creative work: text, photos, music, software. It is optional under the Berne Convention, but a notice such as © 2026 Jane Smith is a clear warning. See the copyright symbol page for the full notice format.
  • ™ claims a word or logo as a trademark. Anyone can use it, registered or not. Its sibling ℠ does the same for services.
  • ® means the trademark is registered with an official office such as the USPTO or EUIPO. Using ® on an unregistered mark is illegal in many countries. Details are on the registered trademark symbol page.

℗ (sound recording copyright) protects a specific recording, as distinct from the song it contains, and appears on album sleeves. 🄯 is the copyleft sign used by free-software and open-content projects; it has no legal force of its own.

§ and ¶ in legal citations

The section sign § refers to a numbered section of a statute or code, as in 17 U.S.C. § 107. Doubled, §§, it means “sections”. The paragraph sign ¶ (pilcrow) cites a paragraph: ¶ 12. Both are standard in court filings and legal textbooks.

  • Windows: Alt + 0169 ©, Alt + 0174 ®, Alt + 0153 ™, Alt + 0167 §, Alt + 0182 ¶ (numeric keypad, Num Lock on).
  • Mac: Option + G ©, Option + R ®, Option + 2 ™, Option + 6 §, Option + 7 ¶.
  • Word and Google Docs turn (c), (r) and (tm) into ©, ® and ™ automatically.
  • HTML: ©, ®, ™, §, ¶.

Nothing on this page is legal advice. For whether you may use ® on a particular mark, check with your national trademark office.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ™ and ®?

™ can be used on any trademark you claim, registered or not. ® may only be used once the trademark is registered with a government trademark office.

How do I type the copyright symbol?

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0169 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option + G. In Word or Google Docs, type (c) and it becomes © automatically.

What does § mean?

§ is the section sign. It refers to a numbered section of a law or document, such as § 3.2. Two signs, §§, mean several sections.

What is ℗ used for?

℗ is the sound recording copyright symbol. It appears on music releases to claim rights in the recording itself, separately from © on the composition and artwork.

Do I need a lawyer to use the © symbol?

No. Anyone can place © on original work they own. Registration and legal advice only matter if you need to enforce the copyright.