[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1832-E1833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL TRADEMARK EXPO
______
HON. JAMES P. MORAN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my
support for the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO)
National Trademark Expo. In a time of ongoing challenges for the
American and global economy, I want to join the USPTO in its efforts to
recognize the vital role trademarks play in the economy. The 2008 and
2009 National Trademark Expos were very successful and well-attended by
the trademark community and public at large. This year's two-day event
will be held on Friday, October 15th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and
Saturday, October 16th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the USPTO
headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The purpose of the Expo is to
educate the public about the value and important role trademarks play
in our society and the global marketplace.
Trademarks are words, names, symbols, sounds, or colors that identify
and distinguish the goods and services of one party from those of
others. The National Trademark Expo will display different types of
trademarks such as sound marks and trademarks that identify shapes and
configurations of products and will feature company booths, themed
displays, costumed characters, and inflatables. Banners will feature
information on century-old registered trademarks, the historical
evolution and transformation of trademarks, and the history of people
behind certain trademarks. The Expo will also feature children's
workshops, story time and guided tours. Educational lectures for adults
will include lectures on Intellectual Property for Small Businesses,
``Why Buy `Legit': About Counterfeit Goods,'' ``How to File a
Trademark,'' ``Top Mistakes in Trademark Applications and How to Best
Avoid Them,'' and ``Trademarks 101.'' A video made to instruct pro se
applicants will play in the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
throughout the Expo. Also, the Museum's current exhibit highlights
important food trademarks throughout the years.
During the Trademark Expo, costumed trademarked characters will
introduce themselves during the opening ceremony and make appearances
throughout the Expo, joining the USPTO's own Trademark character, T.
Markey. A new cast of characters, including Clifford the Big Red
Dog', Lorax', GEICO's Gecko', Chick-
Fil-A's' cow, The Berenstain Bears', Dippin'
Dots', and a 5-Hour Energy' bottle character will
join veteran Expo characters Pillsbury's Doughboy',
Hershey's Kisses', Hershey's' milk chocolate bar,
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups', Crayola' crayons'
mascot Tip, Betty Boop', Dennis the Menace',
Popeye', Olive Oyl', Curious George',
and Sprout'. Large inflatable characters, including the
Michelin' man, The Cat in the Hat', Green
Giant', NFL' football players, collegiate
mascots, and Chick-Fil-A's' cow will once again transform
the USPTO's campus into a ``Trademark Theme Park''.
Caterpillar' equipment and a NASCAR' show car for
5-Hour Energy' will also decorate the grounds. A story time
featuring literary trademarked characters sponsored by Hooray for
Books!, a local children's bookstore, will help tell the story of the
prevalence of trademarks in our daily lives.
On average, people are exposed to 1,500 trademarks each day and more
than 30,000 if they make a trip to the grocery store. In a time of
globalization, counterfeit goods pose an increasing threat to American
businesses. A display of counterfeit goods alongside authentic goods,
as well as an anti-counterfeiting lecture, will highlight the damaging
effects of counterfeit goods on the economy as well as the USPTO's
anti-counterfeiting efforts. Counterfeit goods cost the United States
billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs annually as well
as undermining consumer confidence in brand integrity when purchasers
encounter knock-off goods of inferior quality.
[[Page E1833]]
Some of America's leading large corporations, small businesses,
governmental agencies, and non-profits will highlight the various types
of trademarks and the benefits of Federal trademark registration. The
exhibitors include CMG Worldwide Corporation; International Trademark
Association, Inc. (INTA); U.S. Department of Commerce, International
Trade Administration (ITA); National IPR Coordination Center, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP); Wells Fargo & Company; Innovation Ventures, LLC;
American Intellectual Property Law Association, Inc. (AIPLA); Elevation
Burger (Elevation Franchise Ventures, LLC); Idaho Potato Commission;
Pepsom Group, Inc.; Dippin' Dots, Inc.; Caterpillar, Inc.; CFA
Properties, Inc.; The Travelers Companies, Inc.; Hillerich & Bradsby
Co. (Louisville Slugger); The Hershey Company; GED Testing Service; and
GEICO.
The Trademark Expo will emphasize USPTO's role in reviewing trademark
applications and issuing Federal trademark registrations. American
innovation and its associated intellectual property are critical to job
creation and economic recovery. Through the registration of trademarks,
the USPTO assists businesses in protecting their investments, promoting
goods and services in the U.S. and around the world, and safeguarding
consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. I applaud
the USPTO for its continued efforts to educate the public on the role
of trademarks through the National Trademark Expo. I urge my colleagues
to join me in recognizing the USPTO at this time when trademark
protection and intellectual property rights play an increasingly
important role in our global economy. And, I encourage the public and
my fellow Members and their staff to bring their family and friends to
this family-friendly and free event.
____________________