[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN SUPPORT OF USPTO'S NATIONAL TRADEMARK EXPO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of 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 that trademarks play in the economy.
  The USPTO disseminates trademark information at the Expo to educate 
the public about the important role that trademarks play in our society 
and the global marketplace. This year's two-day event will be held on 
Friday, October 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 
October 20th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the USPTO headquarters in 
Alexandria, Virginia.
  A broad cross-section of America's large corporations, small 
businesses, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations will 
highlight a wealth of valuable information about trademarks: from the 
various types of trademarks available and their benefits. The Expo will 
also feature educational seminars, as well as children's workshops and 
activities. Exhibitors at the National Trademark Expo will include: 5-
hour ENERGY; 1000 Cranes, LLC; ABA Section of Intellectual Property 
Law; AIPLA, Creativity in Bloom; American Girl; The American National 
Red Cross; Caterpillar Inc.; CMG; Cricket Wireless; Department of the 
Army; GEICO; Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital; The Hershey 
Company; HiT Entertainment; Hooray for Books!; Idaho Potato Commission; 
Indian Arts and Crafts Board; International Trademark Association 
(Unreal Campaign); Mattel; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; NASCAR, 
Inc.; NBC Learn; NumbersAlive!; The Pepsom Group; Rita's Ice, Custard, 
Happiness; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Travelers; 
Under Armour; United States Air Force; UPS; U.S. Department of Energy; 
U.S. Government IPR Agencies: Department of Commerce, National IPR 
Coordination Center, and Customs and Border Protection; Valvoline; 
Wormwatcher; and Zipcar.
  On average, people are exposed to 1,500 trademarks each day. In a 
time of globalization, counterfeit goods pose an increasing threat to 
American businesses and jobs, and trademarks assist the public in 
discerning between authentic and counterfeit merchandise. Counterfeit 
goods cost the United States billions of dollars and countless jobs 
annually, as well as undermine consumer confidence in brand integrity 
when purchasers encounter knock-off goods of inferior quality.
  I applaud the USPTO for its continued efforts to educate the public 
on the important role of trademarks and the benefits of federal 
registration 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 of Congress and staff to bring their family and 
friends to this free, family-friendly event.

                          ____________________