TTABlog Road Trip: New York City Bar Association, April 24th

Your truly, the TTABlogger, will venture down to the Big Apple for the New York City Bar's symposium called "On Your Marks: Frontline Issues in Trademark and Advertising Law." My topic will be ..... guess what? The event will run from 9am to 5pm, at the New York City Bar, 42 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036. Register here.

9:00 am – 9:10 am - Introduction

9:10 am – 10:25 am - New World, New Marks: Trademark Issues Presented by Brexit and Market Expansion into Cuba: (Michelle DiGruttolo, Ainslee A. Schreiber, and Phil Sherrell).  2016 saw dramatic developments in both Europe and Cuba that are changing the business environment in those countries. What does Brexit mean for U.S. rights holders, and what should you be doing now to protect your brands in Europe? On the other side of the Atlantic, how should U.S. trademark holders protect their marks in the fast-changing economy that is Cuba?

10:25 am – 10:40 am - Break

10:40 am – 11:55 am - Digitally Clear: Tips for Clearance of Advertising on Social Media and Online Apps: (June Casilmir, Nicole D. D’Amato, Zev Parnass, and Fara S. Sunderji).  In today’s digital world, social media and mobile apps are becoming increasingly important in consumer marketing. When is an online posting an advertisement? What are the applicable rules and the potential penalties for violating them?

11:55 am – 12:20 pm - An Ambassador’s View: International Trade and IP Challenges for the Trump Administration: Ambassador Ronald Kirk: Former U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in the Obama Administration, Currently Senior Of Counsel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

12:20 pm – 1:45 pm - Networking Luncheon

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm - Trademark Battle Roundup: Annual Review of Leading Trademark Decisions by Federal Courts and the TTAB: (Dale M. Cendali and John L. Welch). What were the major decisions of 2016 in both at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in the courts? This session will provide a comprehensive summary of the past year’s most important rulings and their impact on rights holders.

3:00 pm – 3:10 pm - Break

3:10 pm – 4:00 pm - Disruptive Strategies to Combat Infringement in Cyberspace: (Joseph V. DeMarco and Roxanne Elings). In today’s connected world, infringers can take advantage of U.S. commerce from outside the United States. This session explores practical and litigation strategies taken within the United States that can disrupt the infringer’s business and bring a return on investment for the rights holder.

4:00 pm – 4:50 pm - In All Honesty: How to Navigate Ethical Issues in Trademark Investigations: (Susan Upton Douglass and Tony Yarborough). Investigating trademarks that potentially block a client’s proposed mark, or investigating a potential adverse party before sending a cease and desist letter or bringing a lawsuit can raise complicated ethical issues. In this session, a trademark attorney and investigator address the potential ethical pitfalls and ways to avoid them.

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