News: In the News
Laura Winston and Matthew Asbell Quoted in World Trademark Review Article about Combatting Fraudulent Applications in the USPTO under the Newly Signed Trademark Modernization Act of 2020
The Trademark Modernization Act, enacted on December 27, 2020, requires the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to implement new rules and procedures to tackle the growing problem of spurious trademark applications, as discussed in Offit Kurman principal attorney Laura Winston’s recent article. Not entirely satisfied with the USPTO’s previous efforts to address the problem, a committee of U.S. trademark attorneys has organized with the goal of providing guidance to the USPTO in coming up with procedures that are effective and not overly burdensome on legitimate trademark owners.
In a recent article reporting on this issue, the World Trademark Review quoted Offit Kurman principals Laura Winston and Matthew Asbell, who are serving on the committee. WTR has further invited Ms. Winston and Mr. Asbell to contribute to a forthcoming Special Report on the issue, and Ms. Winston and Mr. Asbell are both serving as moderators and panelists in related upcoming trademark programs in the American Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Section Annual Meeting on April 7-16, 2020.
For more information regarding Offit Kurman’s New York Intellectual Property team, reach out to Laura Winston at lwinston@offitkurman.com or Matthew Asbell at matthew.asbell@offitkurman.com.
ABOUT LAURA WINSTON
Laura J. Winston is a principal in the firm’s intellectual property group. Ms. Winston focuses her law practice primarily in the areas of trademarks, copyrights and the internet, representing a broad range of clients from individual business owners and small startup ventures to established Fortune 500 and publicly-traded companies both domestically and abroad. Ms. Winston practiced both at large firms and specialized intellectual property firms, before co-founding an intellectual property boutique firm. Her industry experience covers various industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, print and online publishing, computer-related goods and services, alternative energy, and travel and transportation.
ABOUT MATTHEW ASBELL
Matthew Asbell assists clients in clearing, obtaining, enforcing, and defending trademark rights in the United States and throughout the world. He also provides advice on patents, copyrights, domain names, and other related areas. With prior background in the entertainment industry, information technology, and medicine, he is comfortable working with a wide range of clients in diverse industries. In addition, his certifications as a Social Media Strategist and software Master Instructor equip him to handle complex intellectual property matters arising in the Web 2.0 space.
ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN
Offit Kurman, a full-service AmLaw 200 law firm with offices throughout the East Coast and in Southern California, serves dynamic businesses, individuals and families. Founded in 1987, the firm’s 280+ attorneys counsel clients across more than 30 areas of practice. Offit Kurman helps maximize and protect business value and personal wealth by providing innovative and entrepreneurial counsel that focuses on clients’ business objectives, interests and goals. The firm is distinguished by the quality, breadth and global reach of its legal services and a unique operational structure that encourages a culture of collaboration.
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