What must occur for the accusation of theft of trademarks to be valid?

For an accusation of theft of trademarks to be valid, it is essential that the accused party sells or distributes items without the consent of the trademark owner. This is because trademark law specifically addresses the unauthorized use of a trademark or service mark that causes confusion regarding the source of goods or services. When someone sells goods bearing a trademark without permission, it infringes on the intellectual property rights of the trademark owner, which can lead to claims of trademark theft or infringement.

This aligns with the purpose of trademark laws, which is to protect the brand identity of the owner and prevent misleading consumers. The other options mentioned do not directly relate to the specific conditions required for a trademark-related theft accusation. While illegal sales (option A) can relate to various forms of theft, they do not specifically address trademark issues. Stealing property under $500 (option B) is more relevant to general theft laws rather than trademark violation, while stealing a vehicle (option D) pertains to auto theft and is unrelated to trademark law entirely. Thus, the focus on unauthorized sales or distribution without the owner's consent is critical to establishing a valid accusation of trademark theft.