TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: What does a superscripted "SM" Mean? From:"Tim Altom" <taltom -at- simplywritten -dot- com> To:"Dianne Blake" <write-it -at- home -dot- com>, "TechDoc List" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 17 Apr 2000 17:35:18 -0500
It stands for "Service Mark". A service mark is a cousin to the trademark.
While a trademark identifies a particular product, a service mark identifies
a series of actions we call "service". For example, our Clustar Method (TM)
is trademarked, but our company, Simply Written Inc., is technically a
service mark.
The reality is that the registered service mark has fallen in disuse in the
past few decades. You still find it in some pretty interesting places,
though. If you're a science fiction fan, you might recognize the World
Science Fiction Society, and its Huge Award. Both are service marks.
Tim Altom
Simply Written, Inc.
Featuring FrameMaker and the Clustar(TM) System
"Better communication is a service to mankind."
317.562.9298
Check our Web site for the upcoming Clustar class info http://www.simplywritten.com
> I know this might seem silly, but with so many acronyms today I just
> don't know what this means.
> But what is "SM" in a circle?
>
> Thanks,
> Dianne Blake
> write-it -at- home -dot- com
>
