A TRADEMARK REGISTRATION CAN BE VALID INDEFINITELY PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TEN (10) STEPS ARE TAKEN:

1 through 8: USE the mark (this cannot be emphasized enough);

9: ENFORCE exclusive rights to the mark; and

10: RENEW the registration

IF THE MARK IS NOT REGISTERED, you still could have rights in it if:

The mark is continuously USED (this cannot be emphasized enough);

The mark is continuously ENFORCED