[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE'S 
                    (USPTO) NATIONAL TRADEMARK EXPO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 2009

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support of the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO's) 
National Trademark Expo. In a time of great challenges for the American 
and global economy, I want to join the USPTO in its efforts to 
recognize the vital role trademarks play in the economy.
  The 2008 National Trademark Expo was a great success and was attended 
by more than 7,000 from the trademark community as well as the public 
at large. This year's 2-day event will be held on Friday, May 8th, from 
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 9th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 
USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The purpose of the Expo is 
to educate the public about the value and important role trademarks 
play in our society and the global marketplace.
  Trademarks are words, names, symbols, sounds, or colors that identify 
and distinguish the goods and services of one party from those of 
others. The Trademark Expo will highlight the different types of 
trademarks including trademarks that identify shapes and configurations 
of products, century-old registered trademarks, the historical 
evolution and transformation of trademarks, and the history of people 
behind certain trademarks.
  The USPTO campus will turn into a ``Trademark Theme Park'' featuring 
company booths, themed displays, costumed characters, and inflatables. 
Additions to this year's Trademark Expo include guided tours, 
activities for children, and educational lectures on anti-
counterfeiting, how to file a trademark, and ``Trademarks 101.'' A 
large cast of costumed characters masquerading to tunes played by the 
United States Air Force Band's brass quintet promise a festive 
introduction for speakers at this year's opening ceremony.
  During the Trademark Expo, costumed trademarked characters that the 
public has come to associate with particular goods and services, 
including the Pillsbury Doughboy, Sprout, Hershey's Kisses, Maisy, 
Curious George, Peter Rabbit, Energizer Bunny, Mr. Jelly Belly, and 
The Grinch, among others, will parade about the USPTO campus, and 
large inflatable characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Thomas the 
engine from Thomas & Friends, and Green Giant, will decorate the 
grounds. Costumed characters in the shape of crayons from Crayola, 
displayed in a spectrum of colors, will escort children through the 
educational activities including a story time featuring literary 
trademarked characters sponsored by Hooray for Books!, a local 
children's bookstore. The Hershey's Kissmobile and a UPS truck will 
help tell the story of the prevalence of trademarks in our daily lives 
and their value as source indicators.
  On average, people are exposed to 1,500 trademarks each day and more 
than 30,000 if they make a trip to the grocery store. In a time of 
globalization, counterfeit goods pose an increasing threat to American 
businesses, and trademarks assist the public in discerning between 
authentic and counterfeit merchandise.
  Some of America's leading large corporations, small businesses with 
unfolding success stories, governmental agencies, and non-profit 
corporations will highlight the various types of trademarks and the 
benefits of Federal trademark registration. The exhibitors include 
Bridgestone Corporation, Burberry Limited, Callaway Golf Company, CMG 
Worldwide, Inc., Fred Gretsch Enterprises/The Bigsby Company, Galaxy 
Systems, Inc., International Trademark Association (INTA), Internet 
Keep Safe Coalition, The Hershey Company/Hershey Chocolate & 
Confectionery Corporation, The Pepsom Group, Inc., The Travelers 
Companies, Inc., United Parcel Service of America, Inc., Urangatang Web 
Design, LLC, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Department of Energy.
  The Trademark Expo will emphasize the essential role the USPTO plays 
in reviewing applications for trademarks and issuing federal trademark 
registrations. An award-winning leader in handling electronic filings, 
the USPTO will also showcase its electronic trademark application 
system.
  During these uncertain economic times, I applaud the USPTO for its 
continued efforts to educate the public on the role of trademarks 
through the National Trademark Expo. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the USPTO, at this time when trademark protection and 
intellectual property rights play an increasingly important role in our 
global economy.

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