Can &#174; &#169; ™ (R, C, TM) symbols be safely used in fiction to describe fictional products?
<p>In the popular game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" the TM symbol is used for an in-universe product.  It doesn't actually represent a real product of course, and just acts as flavor text.  While the TM symbol isn't all that protected, it made me wonder if other symbols for Registered (R) or Copyright (C) are more strictly guarded from use in this capacity in fiction.</p>

<p>No. Assuming the author is not trying to deceive anyone, all the uses you've described are protected by the First Amendment.</p>

<p>Even if the author were trying to deceive, those uses might still be protected.</p>

united-states trademark