Protecting your domain name with Trademarks (TM) Service Mark (SM) and Registered Symbol (R)
Trademark registration costs around $500 and people including myself worry that if some one will register a trademark similar to a domain they own. So ultimately the domain name holder have to giveup the domain.
I did research online and this is what I found.
1. You can use the “TM or “SM” on your logo and/or domain even without actually registereing it as a trademark in the national registry. “TM” (trademark) or “SM” (service mark) designation alerts the public to your claim. More information
2. Its always a good idea to launch your website on your domain ASAP. This helps to proove that you are the 1st to use it. Helps in a legal battle if it comes to that.