Is registration of my mark required?
No. You can establish rights in a mark based on legitimate use of the mark. However, owning a trademark registration on the Principal Register provides several advantages, e.g.,- constructive notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark;
- a legal presumption of the registrant's ownership of the mark and the registrant's exclusive right to use the mark nationwide on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the registration;
- the ability to bring an action concerning the mark in federal court;
- the use of the Malaysia registration as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and
When can I use the trademark symbols TM and ®?
Any time you claim rights in a mark, you may use the "TM" (trademark) designation to alert the public to your claim, regardless of whether you have filed an application with the Malaysia Intellectual Property Department. However, you may use the Malaysia registration symbol "®" only after the Malaysia Intellectual Property Deparment actually registers a mark , and not while an application is pending. Also, you may use the registration symbol with the mark only on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the federal trademark registration.
