What are the benefits of registering a trademark?

There are many benefits provided by federal registration:

• Evidence that will be accepted as correct until proven otherwise (“prima facie”) of owning a registered mark, and owning exclusive rights to use the registered mark in the U.S.
• Upon the date of registration, constructive notice of your ownership of the mark is established, and no one will be able to claim to have begun use of the mark in ignorance of your registration
• Your pending application or completed trademark registration will be searchable by others, which could prevent trademark conflicts before they occur
• It may provide access to the federal court system
• If litigated, you may be entitled to recover attorney’s fees from the opposing party
• If litigated, you may be entitled to initiate a seizure action against the counterfeit goods with help from the U.S. Marshall
• If necessary, you may take action to stop the importation of infringing goods with help from the U.S. Customs authorities
• May be used as collateral if needed and is easily transferrable