I have to assume that even with the special privileges mentioned in tingletech's Wikipedia find, they are still required to actively use and protect the tradema

I have to assume that even with the special privileges mentioned in tingletech's Wikipedia find, they are still required to actively use and protect the trademark, or otherwise be vulnerable to dilution. If they don't defend the trademark from everyone (regardless of whether the everyone has good intentions), they lose it. They don't really have much choice in the matter outside of documented legal action.