USPTO Announces 2012 National Trademark Expo

Exhibitor applications due May 18, 2012

Washington – The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host the 2012 National Trademark Expo on Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20, at the USPTO’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The free two-day event is designed to educate the public about trademarks and their importance in the global marketplace. Last year’s Trademark Expo attracted more than 15,000 visitors of all ages.

Exhibitors are invited to showcase their federally-registered trademarks through educational exhibits, including booths, themed displays, costumed characters, and inflatables. In addition, the Expo features educational seminars for adults, and children’s workshops and activities.

Space is limited, so owners of federally-registered trademarks who wish to participate in this year’s Trademark Expo must submit an application by May 18, 2012.

Applications to exhibit at the Expo will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Brand recognition among consumers
• Ability to engage the public’s interest in trademarks
• Educational value of the proposed exhibit to enhance public understanding of the value of trademarks
• Category diversity, in particular whether an applicant’s participation helps ensure that the Expo will feature a variety of different types of trademarks from different sources

Applications will be reviewed by the National Inventors’ Hall of Fame on a rolling basis. Those applicants who are selected to exhibit in the Expo will be notified by June 15, 2012.

For more information, visit www.uspto.gov/TMExpo. For non-press inquiries, please email [email protected] or contact Susan Hayash at (571) 272-9362, Lana Pham at (571) 272-9478, or Carol Spils at (571) 272-9226.

 

Editorial Note from Gene:

I highly recommend the Trademark Expo. While there are seminars aimed at adults, which are quite good, children will have a blast because costumed characters will be walking about and mugging for photos with children, families and adults too! So, if you are an IP professional who has young children do yourself a favor and visit the Trademark Expo.  Be sure and bring your camera!  Your kids will have a blast and so will you.  They might just also understand a little more about what it is that you do for work, minus the messy paperwork details… which I don’t think they will care much about if they can get a picture with Curious George!

For pictures from my day at the 2010 Trademark Expo see Kappos Welcomes Expo to the US Trademark and Patent Office.