Who Owns You After You Die, Inside the Estates of Deceased Celebrities

Published on: September 6, 2018 10:01

The importance of the decisions made during life can impact intellectual property after death, including postmortem rights of publicity. Celebrities face additional considerations regarding the right to publicity, social media, digital media, economic and tax ramifications, estate planning and estate representation. This seminar is a panel discussion with presentations from Professor of Law Jennifer Rothman and tax law expert and former Estate Tax Attorney at the Internal Revenue Service Priya Royal with questions from panelists basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his business manager Deborah Morales.

This was held at the 2018 National Trademark Exposition on July 27, 2018 in the SC Johnson Conference Center at the National Museum of American History and offered Continuing Legal Education credits.

Download a printable transcript

Other ways to view this video

Watch it on YouTube

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series outlines the differences between trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

TMIN News 02: Before you file

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series provides an overview of the most important issues you should be aware of when filing a trademark application.

TMIN News 12: Post-registration issues

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and provides an overview of the most important issues you should be aware of after your application has matured into a registration.

TMIN News 11: Petitions to revive

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and explains when you may file a "Petition to Revive" to bring an unintentionally abandoned application back to life.

TMIN News 03: Searching

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series focuses on the importance of conducting a search of existing trademarks before filing your trademark application.

TMIN News 04: Applicant information

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series focuses on what is meant by the term "applicant."

TMIN News 05: Drawing Issues

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series focuses on what is meant by the term "drawing."

TMIN News 06: Goods and services

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series focuses on what is meant by the phrase "identification of goods and services."

TMIN News 07: Filing Basis

This video in the Trademark Information Network focuses on what is meant by the term "basis."

TMIN: Specimen

This video in the Trademark Information Network focuses on what is meant by the term "specimen."

TMIN News 09: After you file

This video in the Trademark Information Network series provides an overview of the most important issues you should be aware of after filing your application.

TMIN News 10: Statement of Use

This video in the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and introduces the "Statement of Use" and explains when the document is required for registration of a trademark.

TMIN News 13: TTAB

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and provides an overview of the three main types of Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("TTAB" or "Board") proceedings a trademark owner may encounter.

TMIN News 14: Response to office action

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and provides an overview of the most common type of USPTO Office action: a non-final Office action issued by a USPTO examining attorney.

TMIN News 15: Assignments and ownership changes

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and provides an overview of three of the most common types of assignments and ownership changes.

TMIN News 16: Solicitation alert

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and highlights the potential harm to you posed by non-USPTO solicitations.

Basic Facts About Trademarks: What Every Small Business Should Know

This video is part of the Trademark Basic Facts video series and is a must for anyone interested in starting a business to sell a product or offer a service.

Basic Facts: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights

This video is part of the Trademark Basic Facts video series and provides a quick and easy breakdown of the three main types of intellectual property: trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

Basic Facts: Selecting A Mark

This video is part of the Trademark Basic Facts video series and provides guidance on the properties of a strong trademark.

Basic Facts: Should I Register My Mark?

This video is part of the Trademark Basic Facts video series and provides guidance on the properties of a strong trademark.

Basic Facts 05: How Do I Get Help With My Application?

This video explains what the Trademark Office does and does not do.

TMIN News 17: Rockin’ the Trademark

This video is part of the Trademark Information Network (TMIN) series and covers the three main issues that bands and musical artists encounter when applying for a federal trademark registration.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts: TEAS Plus vs. TEAS Standard

This video compares and contrasts the two versions of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application: TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard. It highlights the TEAS Plus filing requirements, which allow for a less expensive filing fee and a more streamlined...

TEAS Nuts and Bolts 02: Applicant Information

This video explains how to fill out the Applicant Information page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts 03: Mark Drawing Page

This video explains how to fill out the Mark Drawing page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts: Additional Statements

This video explains how to fill out the Additional Statements section of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts 05: Goods and Services (TEAS Plus)

This video explains how to fill out the Goods and Services page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus applications only.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts: Goods and Services (TEAS Standard)

This video explains how to fill out the Goods and Services page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Standard applications only.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts: Filing Basis

This video explains how to fill out the Filing Basis page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts 08: Correspondence information

This video explains how to fill out the Correspondence Information page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts: Fee/Signature Information

This video explains how to fill out the Fee/Signature Information page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TEAS Nuts and Bolts: Validation Page

This video explains how to fill out the Validation page of the USPTO’s federal trademark registration application. The information applies to TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications.

TMIN News 19: Fees

This video gives an overview of the most common filing fees required to apply for and maintain a federal trademark registration. Your initial fee depends on (1) your application filing form, (2) your filing basis, and (3) the number of international...

TMIN News 18: Ornamental

This video introduces the concept of “ornamentation” and the “ornamental” refusal. If you submit evidence that shows you only use your mark in an ornamental or decorative manner on your goods, we will refuse to register your mark. Learn how to overcome...

2018 National Trademark Exposition

On July 27, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) kicked off the 2018 National Trademark Exposition with keynote speaker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. NMAH...

TMIN: Counterfeit

This video highlights the pervasive harm caused by counterfeit goods. Counterfeiting reaches into all aspects of our daily lives, threatens our health and safety, and negatively impacts U.S. jobs and the overall economy. The video also includes practical...

What happens if my trademark registration is audited?

What happens if your trademark registration is audited? Learn what proof of use in commerce looks like and what happens during the Post Registration Proof of Use Audit Program. Trademarks that aren't in use on all registered goods and services may...

How to prepare for the new TEAS login requirement

Do you have your USPTO.gov account? Beginning on October 26, 2019, will need to log in to a USPTO.gov account with two-step authentication to access and file TEAS and TEASi forms. This webinar provides a demo of the account creation process and includes a...

What’s the impact of the mandatory electronic filing rule change?

Learn about the new mandatory electronic filing requirement and how this affects specimens, the petition process, outage procedures, and TEAS forms. Beginning February 15, 2020, trademark applicants and registrants will be required to file trademark...

Madrid Protocol: Applications originating from the United States

The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that businesses and individuals can use to protect their trademarks simultaneously in multiple countries using a single application. It allows applicants to file with a single office, using one currency, and...

Representation, signatures, and ethical issues in trademark cases

What are the USPTO’s rules covering trademark practitioner recognition, signatures, and declarations? What steps does the USPTO take when we suspect the rules are violated? In this webinar, learn from our expert attorneys as they cover relevant case law...

Roundtable on the implementation of the Trademark Modernization Act

The USPTO held a virtual roundtable on March 1, 2021 to gather input on issues relating to the implementation of the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA). After a brief overview of the TMA, members of the public were invited to provide comments. The...

Trademark specimens for experienced filers

In this presentation, our expert attorneys discuss recent changes to requirements for specimen of use, common issues with specimens, and what trademark examining attorneys look for when reviewing specimens.

Camera Rigs

A video clip of Garrett Brown's camera innovations, including the Skycam®, used to film long, sweeping overhead shots in football games, skiing events, movies, commercials, and even music videos; the MobyCam, a submarine tracking camera system custom...

Roundtable on the notice of proposed rulemaking on the Trademark Modernization Act

The USPTO held a virtual roundtable on June 1, 2021 to take comments and answer questions regarding the notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA). After a brief overview of the TMA, members of the public were...

Understanding the trademark Post Registration Audit Program

Want to learn more about the trademark Post Registration Audit Program? In this webinar intended for experienced trademark filers, we cover the significance of “use in commerce,” the history of the Post Registration Audit Program, what happens during and...

75 Years of the Lanham Act

75 Years of the Lanham Act, a documentary film by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, was produced in cooperation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the State Bar of Texas. The Lanham Act, signed into law in 1946, remains the primary...

Trademarks and the Games: A fireside chat about intellectual property and the Olympics

Commissioner for Trademarks David Gooder hosts Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Dana Jozefczyk for a lively fireside chat about trademarks and the Olympics. They discuss the essential...

Final roundtable on the notice of proposed rulemaking on the Trademark Modernization Act

The USPTO held a final virtual roundtable on June 14, 2021 to take comments and answer questions regarding the notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA). After a brief overview of the TMA, members of the...

Lanham Act 75th anniversary celebration

On Tuesday, July 27, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Lanham Act, the federal statute establishing modern U.S. trademark law. This exciting virtual program brought together a lineup of...

Overview of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

In this video, you will hear an overview of the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) from Deputy Chief Judge Mark Thurmon. This session was part of the USPTO and the State Bar of Texas’s 75^th Anniversary Celebration of the Lanham Act, the...

I've got my trademark registered, how do I protect and maintain it?

In this video, you will learn about the importance of maintaining and protecting your trademark following registration, and what to do if you encounter infringement, from Asha Allan, partner at Adducci, Mastraini & Schaumberg. This session was part of the...

Don’t burn your brand: Intellectual property for restaurants

Get an overview of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets in the food service industry. With a particular focus on trademarks, you will learn how to use these intellectual property rights to protect what makes your restaurant special.

Overview of the USPTO's trademark register protection initiatives

An overview of the initiatives and programs the USPTO is doing to protect the accuracy of the U.S. trademark register, provided by Deputy Commissioner for Trademark Examination Policy Amy Cotton.

Using ID.me to verify your identity as a trademark filer

This video covers the ID.me process. Trademark filers can verify their identity with the USPTO online through ID.me.

Identity verification for trademark filers

Recorded webinar providing an overview of identity verification

Preparing an effective letter of protest

What is appropriate subject matter for a trademark letter of protest? How can you avoid some common pitfalls when filing a letter of protest? In this webinar we provide an overview of letters of protest best practices.

Protect yourself against trademark fraud

Did you use an online filing firm to submit your trademark application? If so, you may be the victim of fraud. To find out if you’ve been scammed, and learn what to do next, watch this short video.

We take fraud seriously and are doing everything we...

Insights into nonuse cancellation petitions

In this recording, we discuss tips to strengthen your nonuse cancellation practice, including new website resources, common petition mistakes, and common evidentiary mistakes.

Mandatory trademark identity verification

In this recorded webinar, we take an in-depth look at how user roles help regulate unauthorized trademark submissions and how you can determine the right role for your filing situation.

Advanced trademark searching

In this recorded webinar, we explore how to use advanced techniques to search the federal register using the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS).