Why do I have to register my trademark ?

The registration of a trademark is not compulsory, but it is advisable. The legal benefits of registration may not be available otherwise.

A registered trademark:

1. Differentiates you from your competitors.
2. It provides national/regional protection and protects your trademark and your whole business from your competitors. If your trademark does not has a legal protection, you have a big risk of being called to court for couterfeit and unlawful competition, even if you are of good will.
3. Compared to the burden of proof needed to enforce rights in an unregistered trademark, enforcement of a registered trademark is less expensive. Enforcement of an unregistered trademark is more difficult and more costly than enforcement of a registered trademark.
4. The advantage of registering a trademark includes the fact that it provides prima facie evidence of ownership and validity.
5. Gives the exclusive use of that name, so that you may protect your business from couterfeit actions and from unlawful competition. It helps to deter others from unlawfully using the trademark.  It allows access to bring actions in particular courts.
6. The risk of not registering a trademark is that others may register an identical or similar mark that could impede the ability to use or register the trademark.
7. Trademark is an intangible asset of the company, has an accounting value and increases the whole value of the company.
8. Trademark may be sold, licensed or used for selling franchises of your business.
9. Trademark protects your domain names.