Is Registration of My Mark Required?

No. You can establish rights in a mark based on legitimate use of the mark. However, owning a federal trademark registration on the Principal Register provides several advantages, e.g.,

• Constructive notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark;
• A legal presumption of the registrant's ownership of the mark and the registrant's exclusive right to use the mark nationwide on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the registration;

• The ability to bring an action concerning the mark in federal court;
• The use of the U.S registration as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and
• The ability to file the U.S. registration with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of infringing foreign goods.