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Are you claiming that trademark law doesn't care if there is trade happening?

It doesn't care if the trade is specifically monetarily based.

If someone is taking something from you, even for free or with payment in "recognition dollars", trade is happening.

That is correct, trademark law is only concerned about the mark the traders themselves use. You can trademark a bunch of stuff, do nothing with it, and sue the pants of anyone who comes near it if you want: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark_troll

You have to use a mark for trade (in UK, EU, at least) to maintain a trademark. So, you can trademark a bunch of stuff but a challenger can point out you didn't use the mark and you can lose it - abandonment. A trademark isn't a trade mark unless you're using it for 'trade'!

Not legal advice. Personal opinion, in no way relates to my employment.

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