What do I need to know about using a trademark?

A firm may apply for trademark registration prior to using the trademark in the market to commercialize its products or services, but some countries will not officially register the trademark until you have shown proof of use (e.g. the United States). Additionally, in most cases, the registration of a trademark that has not been used for a given period of time (usually three to five years following registration) will be cancelled. This is to try to guarantee that the registration is done with the intention of actually using the trademark in the marketplace, rather than simply for the purpose of obstructing its use by others.