The service mark symbol (℠, the letters SM in superscript style) is a symbol commonly used in the United States to provide notice that the preceding mark is a service mark. This symbol has some legal force, and is typically used for service marks not yet registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; registered service marks are instead marked with the same symbol used for registered trademarks, the registered trademark symbol ®. The proper manner to display the symbol is immediately following the mark in superscript style.