What is the main function of an ITU application?

The main function of an Intent to Use (ITU) application is to formally announce the intent to use a trademark in commerce in the future. This type of application allows a party to secure rights to a trademark before it is actually used in the marketplace. By filing an ITU application, the applicant is essentially notifying the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) of their intention to use the trademark in commerce at a later date, which gives them priority over others who might wish to use the same or a similar trademark.

Once an ITU application is filed and approved, the applicant must eventually demonstrate actual use of the trademark in commerce before the registration is finalized. Thus, it is a proactive approach for businesses that are not yet using their mark but wish to ensure their claim to it as they prepare for market entry.

The other options do not accurately describe the ITU application process. For instance, registering a trademark already in use pertains to different types of applications, while purely reserving a trademark without intent to use does not align with the ITU's purpose of indicating future use. Similarly, claiming a trademark that cannot be used does not reflect the framework of the ITU application, which involves a good faith intention to bring a mark into use