A trademark includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name. A service mark is any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce, to identify and distinguish the services of one provider from services provided by others, and to indicate the source of the services. The federal registration symbol may be used once the mark is actually registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office. Certain countries, however, do recognize a United States registration as a basis for registering the mark in those countries.
Many countries maintain a register of trademarks.
Keep in mind that the Internet is changing international trademark boundaries. By adding your trademarks, you are being proactive in minimizing the potential cost of international litigation. Federal registration is not required to establish rights in a trademark. Common law rights arise from actual use of a mark. Generally, the first to either use a mark in commerce or file an intent to use application with the Patent and Trademark Office has the ultimate right to use and registration.