[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1832-E1833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL TRADEMARK EXPO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) 
National Trademark Expo. In a time of ongoing 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 and 
2009 National Trademark Expos were very successful and well-attended by 
the trademark community and public at large. This year's two-day event 
will be held on Friday, October 15th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 
Saturday, October 16th, 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 National Trademark Expo will display different types of 
trademarks such as sound marks and trademarks that identify shapes and 
configurations of products and will feature company booths, themed 
displays, costumed characters, and inflatables. Banners will feature 
information on century-old registered trademarks, the historical 
evolution and transformation of trademarks, and the history of people 
behind certain trademarks. The Expo will also feature children's 
workshops, story time and guided tours. Educational lectures for adults 
will include lectures on Intellectual Property for Small Businesses, 
``Why Buy `Legit': About Counterfeit Goods,'' ``How to File a 
Trademark,'' ``Top Mistakes in Trademark Applications and How to Best 
Avoid Them,'' and ``Trademarks 101.'' A video made to instruct pro se 
applicants will play in the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum 
throughout the Expo. Also, the Museum's current exhibit highlights 
important food trademarks throughout the years.
  During the Trademark Expo, costumed trademarked characters will 
introduce themselves during the opening ceremony and make appearances 
throughout the Expo, joining the USPTO's own Trademark character, T. 
Markey. A new cast of characters, including Clifford the Big Red 
Dog', Lorax', GEICO's Gecko', Chick-
Fil-A's' cow, The Berenstain Bears', Dippin' 
Dots', and a 5-Hour Energy' bottle character will 
join veteran Expo characters Pillsbury's Doughboy', 
Hershey's Kisses', Hershey's' milk chocolate bar, 
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups', Crayola' crayons' 
mascot Tip, Betty Boop', Dennis the Menace', 
Popeye', Olive Oyl', Curious George', 
and Sprout'. Large inflatable characters, including the 
Michelin' man, The Cat in the Hat', Green 
Giant', NFL' football players, collegiate 
mascots, and Chick-Fil-A's' cow will once again transform 
the USPTO's campus into a ``Trademark Theme Park''. 
Caterpillar' equipment and a NASCAR' show car for 
5-Hour Energy' will also decorate the grounds. A story time 
featuring literary trademarked characters sponsored by Hooray for 
Books!, a local children's bookstore, will help tell the story of the 
prevalence of trademarks in our daily lives.
  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. A display of counterfeit goods alongside authentic goods, 
as well as an anti-counterfeiting lecture, will highlight the damaging 
effects of counterfeit goods on the economy as well as the USPTO's 
anti-counterfeiting efforts. Counterfeit goods cost the United States 
billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs annually as well 
as undermining consumer confidence in brand integrity when purchasers 
encounter knock-off goods of inferior quality.

[[Page E1833]]

  Some of America's leading large corporations, small businesses, 
governmental agencies, and non-profits will highlight the various types 
of trademarks and the benefits of Federal trademark registration. The 
exhibitors include CMG Worldwide Corporation; International Trademark 
Association, Inc. (INTA); U.S. Department of Commerce, International 
Trade Administration (ITA); National IPR Coordination Center, U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP); Wells Fargo & Company; Innovation Ventures, LLC; 
American Intellectual Property Law Association, Inc. (AIPLA); Elevation 
Burger (Elevation Franchise Ventures, LLC); Idaho Potato Commission; 
Pepsom Group, Inc.; Dippin' Dots, Inc.; Caterpillar, Inc.; CFA 
Properties, Inc.; The Travelers Companies, Inc.; Hillerich & Bradsby 
Co. (Louisville Slugger); The Hershey Company; GED Testing Service; and 
GEICO.
  The Trademark Expo will emphasize USPTO's role in reviewing trademark 
applications and issuing Federal trademark registrations. American 
innovation and its associated intellectual property are critical to job 
creation and economic recovery. Through the registration of trademarks, 
the USPTO assists businesses in protecting their investments, promoting 
goods and services in the U.S. and around the world, and safeguarding 
consumers against confusion and deception in the marketplace. 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. And, I encourage the public and 
my fellow Members and their staff to bring their family and friends to 
this family-friendly and free event.

                          ____________________