Why is it required to apply for trademark registration?

An applicant may apply for trademark registration by law to honor his or her merchandise or service. After acquiring trademark rights, others are not allowed to apply for registration with the same or similar merchandise or service using the same or similar trademark. The owner of the trademark rights is entitled to claim damage compensation against those who infringe upon his or her trademark rights and request infringement elimination. In the case that infringement is likely to occur, the trademark owner may request prevention of it. Nevertheless, those who use the same or similar trademark in the same or similar merchandise or service with a good intention prior to the date applied by others for trademark registration can be free from being restricted by the legal efficacy of the trademark rights of others. However, it is only limited to the merchandise or services originally applied for. In this case, the trademark owners may request putting on proper distinctive marks.