U.S. federal trademark registration creates statutory rights based on legal use of the mark in commerce. Federal registration has several advantages over common law trademark use rights:
- serves as legal presumption of ownership nationwide;
- is notice to the public of the registrant’s claim of ownership;
- grants an exclusive right to use the mark on or in connection with the goods or services set forth in the registration;
- sets jurisdiction in U.S. federal courts for any trademark lawsuit;
- serves as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and
- allows the owner to register the mark with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of infringing foreign goods.