How to get a © or ® for my domain?

[abcde]

and what does that mean to have a © or an ® next to a domain?

 

[nomis135]

Its only good for companies that are big right?
for small sites you don't really need it.
All i have it the Copyright.
I don't relly need the Registered sign for now.
But i think it costs about 100$ and you need to go see lawyer.

 

[sunken]

It cost the company I worked for around $1000 to get their registered trademark and it took a good amount of time (months) because the trademark office has to allow time for disputes about the mark. They had to get a lawyer.

 

[Dave_Z]

I know it's rather late, but here's a link to confirm what DNQuest said:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/doc/basic/register.htm

Should I register my mark?


Is registration of my mark required?

No. You can establish rights in a mark based on legitimate use of the mark. However, owning a federal trademark registration on the Principal Register provides several advantages, e.g.,

• constructive notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark;

• a legal presumption of the registrant's ownership of the mark and the registrant's exclusive right to use the mark nationwide on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the registration;

• the ability to bring an action concerning the mark in federal court;

• the use of the U.S registration as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and

• the ability to file the U.S. registration with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of infringing foreign goods.

When can I use the trademark symbols TM, SM and ®?

Any time you claim rights in a mark, you may use the "TM" (trademark) or "SM" (service mark) designation to alert the public to your claim, regardless of whether you have filed an application with the USPTO. However, you may use the federal registration symbol "®" only after the USPTO actually registers a mark, and not while an application is pending. Also, you may use the registration symbol with the mark only on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the federal trademark registration.

 

[Zeeble]

writing it up and putting it into an envelope and sending it to yourself can hold up just as well as well as a registered trademark. Same goes for patents.... you have proof... thats what matters and not the fact that you have paid a few thousand to register yourself a TM.