Many companies say "our people are our most valuable asset," but in reality, often a company's most valuable asset is its brand, and growing and protecting that brand is a constant effort. Companies spend years and millions of dollars developing their brands online and offline, and protecting themselves from Cybersquatters and trademark infringers has been a regular part of doing business since the beginning of the modern age.
In the United States, registration of a trademark is not necessary in order to establish the mark. Using the trademark in business establishes the mark. However, there are several benefits to registering the mark, including the ability to bring action concerning the mark in federal court and the use of the U.S. registration as a basis for registering in foreign countries.
For a complete overview of trademarks, visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office - About Trademarks and Basic Facts About Trademarks.