WASHINGTON – Senators Chuck Grassley and Chris Coons, and Representatives Randy Forbes and Suzan DelBene, co-chairs of the Congressional Trademark Caucus, are hosting the caucus’ inaugural event on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. in room 215 of the Senate Visitors Center.
The event will feature a panel discussion entitled, “Trademarks 101,” where panelists will discuss trademark law basics, current issues, and the role of trademarks in protecting public health and safety.
The caucus co-chairs said that this kick-off event will be an enormous help to anybody looking to get up to speed on trademark matters and will feature a panel of experts on trademark law. Prior to the panel discussion, Mary Denison, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Commissioner for Trademarks, will also make introductory remarks.
The panel will include Robert Brauneis, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Intellectual Property Program, The George Washington University Law School; Joe Ferretti, Vice-President & Chief Counsel for Global Trademarks, PepsiCo-Frito Lay and Vice-President, International Trademark Association; and Grant Ashley, Vice President & Chief Security Officer, Merck & Co.
Jon Kent of the International Trademark Association and Frank Cullen of the U.S. Intellectual Property Policy, Global Intellectual Property Center will co-moderate the discussion.
The caucus was founded to support congressional committees with jurisdiction over Intellectual property, with special attention to consumer issues; help increase awareness among Congress, the media and the public about trademarks’ importance to global commerce; play a role in creating public policy dialogues on the responsibilities of state and federal governments and brand owners in decreasing the presence of counterfeit goods in the marketplace; and highlight trademark protection in discussions between the U.S. and other nations and world governing bodies.
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