In today's age of digital commerce a company's brand is becoming more and more of a valuable asset that needs protection. The best way to ensure that other companies are not capitalzing on your company's good will is to register your trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and defend your brand vigilantly. A recent case illustrates the importance of this protection: http://www.sevendaysvt.com/BiteClub/archives/2015/12/15/farmers-market-kitchen-litigious-whiskey-grey
Local Vermont distillery, Smugglers Notch Distillery, from Jeffersonville, Vermont (right near Smuggler's Notch), was sued by the Campari Group for using the name Smuggler's Notch in their brand. Campari argued that the term Smuggler's Notch would cause confusion with its brand of Old Smuggler whiskey. After two years of litigation, the parties settled but not before Smuggler's Notch Distillery has spent considerable time and money defending it's brand.