Primarily, registration of a trademark or service mark provides two things. First, it provides actual public notice. By registering the mark with a central filing agency, the mark is available for public scrutiny. This benefits both the owner, who seeks exclusive use of a mark, and a potential filer who seeks to ensure that his or her mark does not conflict with a mark already in use.

Second, registration of a mark might be used as evidence in the event an infringement action is pursued by the registrant. (Consult with legal counsel for more information regarding this matter.)