Registration is optional, but worth it
You aren't legally required to register a trademark. Still, doing so is one of the most sensible steps you can take to protect your brand. In some countries an unregistered mark is recognized, but the protection it gets is limited.
What can go wrong without registration
- Defending your trademark becomes difficult.
- Other businesses may use your brand name, which can confuse customers.
Where and when to register
Ideally, register your trademarks in every place where you do business. You can also do it in places where you don't plan to use the mark right away. Keep in mind that countries differ in their rules on trademark use and on who has priority when a mark is registered.
Why it matters
A registration gives you legal protection, which helps keep your original ideas and your business from being misused in global markets. Be sure to register each trademark following the specific guidelines that apply to it.