Trade-marks are valuable assets and may be sold, pledged, or transferred to legacy. When used under license, trade-marks can also provide loyalties. The value of a trade-mark increases once it becomes registered, because this is the most reliable protection against counterfeiters and third-parties claiming prior rights. According to Section 17 of the Trade-marks Act, a trade-mark registration is normally incontestable against any third party claiming prior rights once the mark has been registered for a period of five years.