<tm>: When and why do you employ the <tm> element to indicate a trademark symbol in DITA content?

In DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) content, the <tm> element is utilized to indicate a trademark symbol. This element is employed when you need to display the trademark symbol (™) within your XML-based DITA content. Trademarks are essential for protecting intellectual property, and using the <tm> element ensures the accurate representation of trademarked terms or symbols in your documentation.

Using the <tm> Element in DITA

The <tm> element in DITA serves as a valuable tool for indicating trademark symbols. It allows you to format your content in a way that accurately represents trademarked terms or symbols, ensuring clarity and legal compliance in your documents.

Formatting Trademark Symbols in DITA

To format a trademark symbol in DITA, simply enclose the symbol within the <tm> element. For example:


<p>Company XYZ is the owner of the <tm>XYZ Pro</tm> trademark.</p>

In this example, the <tm> element is used to display the “™” symbol next to the “XYZ Pro” product name, indicating that it is a registered trademark. This ensures that the trademark symbol is correctly represented in your content, meeting legal requirements and providing clarity to your readers.

Benefits of Using the <tm> Element

Employing the <tm> element in DITA offers several advantages. It helps maintain consistency in the presentation of trademarked terms, ensuring that they are accurately and uniformly displayed throughout your documentation. Additionally, it contributes to legal compliance, as it clearly denotes trademarked terms, which is especially important when protecting intellectual property. By using the <tm> element, you ensure that your content aligns with legal standards and provides accurate information to your audience.