Press Releases
International Trademark Association Offers Free In-Person Trademark Legal Services to Boston-Area Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Published: April 15, 2019
New York, New York – April 15, 2019—The International Trademark Association (INTA) will be hosting a Pro Bono Trademark Clinic on May 20, during its upcoming Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals seeking legal services relating to trademarks will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with trademark attorneys who will be donating their time to assist those in the Boston area.
“Today, Boston is a thriving hub of commerce, a hotbed of innovation, and home to an ever-expanding pool of talent. These entrepreneurs are poised to make important contributions to the economy,” said INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. “However, many of those who are in the initial stages of building a business often overlook the importance of early trademark registration and protection. The Pro Bono Trademark Clinic will help put them on the right path, and, in doing so, will also support economic growth and innovation.”
It is the first time that INTA will be offering this type of free service at one of its Annual Meetings—the world’s largest gathering of brand owners and intellectual property professionals. The 2019 Meeting takes place from May 18–22 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), and will draw more than 10,000 registrants.
At the Pro Bono Trademark Clinic, which will be held at the BCEC, participants can meet with INTA members to discuss a wide range of critical trademark-related issues, including trademark rights, filings, searches, and litigation. Applications to participate in the program are due by May 10, and applicants will be pre-screened for eligibility.
In addition to the legal services, participants will receive a complimentary one-day pass to INTA’s Annual Meeting, allowing them to take advantage of educational programs and networking opportunities.
“We are thrilled to provide this free clinic to help eligible individuals with trademark issues by matching them with legal trademark professionals,” said Chris Bennett, Partner, DLA Piper LLP (Canada), and Chair of INTA’s Pro Bono Committee. “In turn, these INTA member attorneys will be generously donating their time, and using their expertise to make a meaningful contribution to the business community.”
The inaugural clinic builds on the success of INTA’s Pro Bono Clearinghouse, which was established in 2017 as an online pilot program to strengthen the protection of trademark rights, and to serve those without sufficient financial resources or access to relevant legal assistance. For the past two years, the Clearinghouse has been connecting eligible individuals, nonprofit organizations, and small- to medium-sized enterprises in the United States with qualified trademark professionals on a pro bono basis. The Pro Bono Trademark Clinic will mark the first in-person exchange.
This work aligns with INTA’s continued commitment to corporate social responsibility, and its belief that all consumers and businesses benefit when trademark rights are consistently and responsibly protected.
INTA encourages businesses and individuals in the Boston area to apply for the Pro Bono Trademark Clinic by contacting Stacey Sutton at [email protected]. More information about the Annual Meeting can be found at www.inta.org/2019Annual.
About the International Trademark Association (INTA)
The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation. Members include more than 7,200 trademark owners, professionals, and academics from 191 countries, who benefit from the Association’s global trademark resources, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Brussels, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington, D.C., and representatives in Geneva and New Delhi. For more information, please visit www.inta.org.
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