™ vs ®: Brain Cradle’s Trademark Policy for Customized Yoga Training Manuals

At Brain Cradle, we’re proud to create white-label yoga training manuals that reflect the unique identity of each yoga school. Every manual we design is personalized with your school’s logo, name, and Lead Trainer information so that your students have a professional, cohesive experience.

As more schools establish their brands, we occasionally receive requests to add the ™ (trademark) or ® (registered trademark) symbol next to a school’s name in their manual. To ensure fairness and compliance, Brain Cradle has created a simple, consistent policy for how we handle these requests.

The Difference Between ™ and ®

• ™ (Trademark): Anyone can use ™ to show they are claiming a mark, even if it is not officially registered. It’s a safe way to represent your school name as a trademark.

• ® (Registered Trademark): This symbol can only be used if the name is officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or another recognized government agency. Using it without a registration can be considered fraudulent.

Brain Cradle’s Policy

• By default, we do not add ® symbols. Brain Cradle doesn’t offer this option because we cannot verify each client’s legal registration status, and we don’t want to risk using a fraudulent mark.

• We can add ™ upon request. If you would like to mark your school name as a trademark in your manual, we are happy to include the ™ symbol next to your school’s name.

• Registered trademarks may be considered on a case-by-case basis. If your school name is legally registered, you may provide proof of your trademark certificate.

Why This Policy Matters

This approach ensures:

• Fairness — all schools are treated equally, regardless of size or status.

• Legal safety — neither your school nor Brain Cradle risks accidental misuse of a registered trademark symbol.

• Clarity — you know exactly what to expect when requesting a symbol in your manual.

What We Do Require

Brain Cradle only asks clients to submit:

• Their school logo

• Their school name

• Their Lead Trainer name and biography

This information is what makes your manual truly yours. Trademark symbols are optional, and our policy ensures they are applied consistently and responsibly.

Final Thoughts

At Brain Cradle, we’re here to support yoga professionals, not complicate their journey. That’s why our manuals are designed to keep things simple, professional, and Yoga Alliance-compliant — while also respecting the legal nuances of trademark use.

You be the brain, we’ll be the cradle.