Focus on IP Enforcement and Counterfeiting with Lawmakers in Washington and New York

INTA’s Washington, D.C., office has been focused on advocacy and outreach throughout the summer, including participation in events both in Washington, D.C., and New York representing the trademark community. The Washington, D.C., office is preparing for the upcoming Leadership Meeting and looks forward to engaging with INTA members about our work in the U.S. capital and beyond, especially as this autumn will conclude the 115th Session of Congress.

Following is an update on some key activities.

INTA Participates in Roundtable with Representative Ted Deutch

In August, INTA participated in an intellectual property (IP) stakeholder roundtable in Washington D.C. with Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL-22nd) focused on education and outreach about the importance of IP enforcement. Representative Deutch is committed to strong IP laws, including opportunities for increased mechanisms for IP enforcement, and noted proudly that he serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus (CTC). Roundtable participants, including Representative Deutch, stressed the need to educate consumers about the challenges presented by counterfeiting, such as direct health and safety risks.

INTA Participates in Brooklyn, New York, Roundtable with Representative Hakeem Jeffries

In August, the Washington, D.C., office participated in a roundtable focused on innovation and trademark counterfeiting with Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8th). INTA member Heather J. McDonald (Baker Hostetler, USA), who served as 2016‒2017 Chair of INTA’s Anticounterfeiting Committee, spoke about the importance of innovation in the trademark world and the dangers of counterfeiting. In a packed room at the New Lab in Brooklyn, New York, INTA joined the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC), the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to discuss the importance of investing in trademarks and the need for education and outreach to consumers about the direct harms caused by counterfeit products.

During the roundtable, Representative Jeffries spoke about the need for government and private industry to work collaboratively on IP enforcement. He further noted his commitment to working with the IP community on education and outreach to consumers about counterfeiting.

In her remarks, Ms. McDonald spoke about the challenges presented by counterfeiting and its direct effect on consumers and brands. She noted INTA’s commitment and focus on addressing the issues caused by counterfeit products globally.

Ms. McDonald also emphasized INTA’s commitment to working with businesses of all sizes to provide them with key information to assist with their brand’s decisions about IP and trademarks. She outlined key resources developed by INTA, including INTA’s best practices guide, Addressing the Sale of Counterfeits on the Internet, which provides recommendations for all the stakeholders affected by online counterfeiting. With brand owners from throughout New York state in the room, the roundtable then focused on the New York economy, which is centered on fashion, media, and banking-industries in which trademarks are central to brands’ success. Strong anticounterfeiting efforts are therefore needed to sustain the local economy.

INTA will continue to work with Representatives Deutch and Jeffries and the IP community on education and outreach about counterfeiting. The Association will hold additional roundtables around the country with members of Congress and the IP community.

INTA Participates in Foreign Service Institute Training Event

On July 24, INTA Anticounterfeiting Committee member Chun T. Wright (Law Offices of Chun T. Wright, PLLC, USA) participated in a Foreign Service Institute training event at the U.S Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for new Foreign Service Officers who will be deployed to embassies and missions globally on behalf of the U.S. government. Ms. Wright provided a comprehensive overview of trademark law and policy, including current IP enforcement protections. Read the full report here.

INTA looks forward to working with the new Foreign Service Officers on education and outreach about counterfeiting and the direct harms caused by counterfeit products.

Please contact Debbie Cohn, Senior Director of Government Relations at [email protected], with any questions.

INTA’s Washington, D.C., Representative Office represents the Association’s 2,361 members in North America. Working in collaboration with staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City, the Washington, D.C, Representative Office leads the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in Canada and the United States. To learn more about INTA’s activities in the region, please contact INTA Senior Director of Government Relations Deborah Cohn at [email protected].

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of items in theâ€¯INTA Bulletin, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest. Law & Practice updates are published without comment from INTA except where it has taken an official position.