[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE'S NATIONAL 
                             TRADEMARK EXPO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) National Trademark 
Expo, an important educational event that advances the USPTO's mission 
to deliver intellectual property information and education to the 
public. 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 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 
October 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the USPTO headquarters in 
Alexandria, Virginia. Attendees learn about trademarks from exhibitors, 
displays, seminars, children's workshops and activities. Seminars cover 
topics such as intellectual property for business, the trademark 
registration process, and the importance of buying authentic goods.
  A broad cross-section of America's large corporations, small 
businesses, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations will 
highlight valuable information about trademarks, from the various types 
of trademarks available to their benefits. Exhibitors at the National 
Trademark Expo will include: 5-hour ENERGY; 1000 Cranes, LLC; American 
Bar Association; American Girl, LLC; American Intellectual Property Law 
Association; BERG USA; Canon U.S.A., Inc.; Caterpillar Inc.; City of 
Falls Church (Virginia) Economic Development Authority; Girl Scouts of 
the USA; Hershey Chocolate & Confectionery Corporation (the Hershey 
Company); Hooray for Books!; Idaho Potato Commission; Indian Arts and 
Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior; International 
AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC); International Trademark 
Association--Unreal Campaign; Looshes Labs LLC; Microsoft; NASA Goddard 
Space Flight Center's Innovative Technology Partnerships Office; 
National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center); 
NumbersAlive!; Rita's Ice, Custard, Happiness; Smithsonian Institution; 
Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt; The LEGO Group; The National 
Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders; The Pepsom 
Group, Inc.; The United States Foundation for Inspiration and 
Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST); The University of Notre 
Dame du Lac; Uber Technologies; United Parcel Service Inc.; United 
States Air Force; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Valvoline; Volcom, Inc.; 
YMCA of Metropolitan Washington; and Zoomph. Anson Williams, who 
starred in the television show Happy Days and now is an entrepreneur 
and director, will speak about the importance of trademarks to business 
at the opening ceremony.
  On average, people encounter 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.
  The first National Trademark Expo took place over 25 years ago in 
Washington, DC. Since then, the Expo has educated thousands of people 
on the importance of trademarks. 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 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.

                          ____________________