Trademark scams are on the rise, and bad actors are using increasingly devious and creative means to fool U.S. trademark attorneys and their clients. Now more than ever it's important for individuals who represent others before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to be aware of the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct.
In a panel discussion, our experts from the Register Protection Office and Office of Enrollment and Discipline will explore common pitfalls to avoid as a trademark attorney. We'll also give you practical tips for protecting yourself and your clients from bad actors who:
- Trick trademark owners into paying unnecessary fees
- Engage in unauthorized conduct
- Spoof legitimate attorneys and entities
- Commit other fraudulent activities
Speakers
Sarah Franz, staff attorney, Register Protection Office
David Mayer, staff attorney, Trademark Legal Policy Office
Gerard Taylor, staff attorney, Office of Enrollment and Discipline
Speaker Bios
Sarah Franz has been with the USPTO since 2015 and is currently a staff attorney in the Register Protection Office.
David Mayer is a staff attorney in the Trademark Legal Policy Office, where he has been a specialist on improper filing behavior for the past six years. He is a former examining attorney, and previously worked at a large firm doing IP litigation and trademark work and helped run a non-profit that provides legal assistance to artists. Before his legal career, David Mayer worked for several years in the film industry.
Gerard Taylor first joined the USPTO in 2000 as a trademark examining attorney. He left the USPTO in 2002, but returned in 2014 as a senior attorney with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline. In this role, Taylor investigates allegations of attorney misconduct, conducts moral character investigations of applicants requesting registration before the USPTO, and assists the Law School Clinic Certification Program.
For more information, contact TMWebinar@uspto.gov.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
If a state is not listed, contact your state bar to see if you can obtain credit in your state. Participants who attend the live session will receive a certificate of attendance and presentation materials for acquiring CLE credit in other states.