Copyright
Alt Code	Symbol	Description
Alt 0169	©	Copyright
Alt 169	®	Registered symbol
Alt 0153	™	Trademark

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About Alt Codes:

International Business Machines (IBM) developed a method to place characters that were previously impossible to type with a traditional QWERTY keyboard on the screen. By holding down the ALT key, developers and end users could define the intended character by way of the numeric keypad. The computer system's Basic Internal Operating System (BIOS) subsequently interprets the action and placing the correct corresponding symbol at the location of the cursor.

Such codes became so incredibly popular that although Microsoft decided upon developing additional sets of codes, they also decided to keep the existing Alt codes. The new set designed to coexist with also codes was originally named ANSI, with the old version redesignated as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Codes written in OEM are represented in 3 digits while codes written in ANSI codes begin with a preceding 0.

For the past 20 years, Unicode has seen major adoption by a growing number of systems. The entry of all Unicode characters by the same method of Windows was achieved by many applications yet still couldn't spread to every system. Issues of compatibility with old ANSI codes prevented the entry of every single character.

Alt Code Tips:

• Depending on the setting of the OEM Code Page, different characters may be produced with the same code.
• It is critical to have the system's NUM LOCK enabled when typing a character's alt code value.
• Though it is present on some models, the right-most numeric keypad does NOT exist on most laptops. To still make sufficient use of the functionality, most laptop users are required to use press and hold down the Fn key.

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