Why should I register a trademark or servicemark?
First, it clearly establishes that you own the mark. Second, it gives you the exclusive use of that mark in commerce. Suppose that two companies one in California and the other in Alabama both decide to start using their initials to represent the name of their companies. Since one is called A Big Company, it uses “ABC.” Since the other is called A Better Company, it also uses “ABC.” Further suppose that both companies depict these initials in almost exactly the same way. Both are using a trademark and have a trademark, but once both companies begin to market nationally rather than restricting their marketing to either California or Alabama the question of ownership will almost surely arise. Generally, the company that registers the trademark first is going to be presumed to be the owner of that trademark and will mostly likely be able to force the non-registering company to cease using the trademark. Federal registration gives you the right to put an after the trademark and puts others
