A trademark registration issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on the principal register of trademarks has many benefits. These benefits include:
- use of the circle-R ® symbol which helps ward off potential infringers and shows off the significance of the trademark
- appearing in the USPTO database when others search trademarks, which helps avoid potential infringements
- creation of a tangible asset that can be licensed, transferred, and/or assigned a monetary value
- ability to seek triple damages and attorneys’ fees in court
- right to sue infringers in Federal District Court
- nationwide priority in all 50 states as of the application filing date
- when contacting infringers or domain name cybersquatters, a powerful tool to attach to a letter and to attempt to resolve situation quickly and without litigation expenses and risks
- ability to record the trademark with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, who could help exclude infringing imports
A trademark registration enhances the value and protection of your brand, and acts as insurance reducing the risk of getting involved in expensive disputes as either a plaintiff or a defendant.
