The USPTO has changed its trademark practice with regard to renewals. Also Sharaz Gill talks with us about his strategies to fight patent trolls. He is heavily involved in the so called phone wars and has sided with companies like Nokia to fight against Non Practicing Entities like IPCom.

IP FRIDAYS

 

Co-Presenters:

Rolf Claessen and Kenneth Suzan

 

Episode 17 – December 12, 2014

 

RC =   Rolf Claessen

KS =    Kenneth Suzan

SG =    Sharaz Gill

 

 

Hello.  This is Sharaz Gill of Skepsis Telecom.  If you would like to hear a little bit about fighting patent trolls, then listen to our podcast.  This is IP Fridays.

 

KS:      Hello.  Happy Holidays and welcome to this episode of IP Fridays.  Our names are Ken Suzan and Rolf Claessen and this is THE podcast dedicated to Intellectual Property.  It does not matter where you are from, in-house or private practice, novice or expert, we will help you stay up-to-date with current topics in the fields of trademarks, patents, design and copyright, discover useful tools and much more.

 

Both Rolf and I are very happy that you have decided to tune into our podcast today.  The response to our joint efforts has been remarkable.  We look forward to sharing IP news, interviews and developments with you in the coming New Year.  To celebrate this holiday season, we invite you to leave us a voicemail by clicking on the button on the right side of our website at IPFridays.com or use the feedback page to leave us a comment at IPFridays.com\feedback.

 

Following a random drawing of names, we will choose and announce a total of three winners who will receive complimentary Christmas mugs from an authentic German Christmas Market in Cologne, Germany (Rolf’s hometown).  We will take care of shipping no matter where you may be.  Make sure to note your e-mail address so we can get in contact with you should you win.  We encourage you to stay in touch with us so we can get to know you as our listeners.  Also, feel free to note any topics or recommend interview guests that would be a good fit for our program.

 

From Cologne, Germany to Minneapolis, Minnesota and all points in between and worldwide, we wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year.

 

RC:      I am Rolf Claessen and I also want to wish you a peaceful Holiday Season and a successful New Year.  Today we will learn about how to fight non-practicing entities, also sometimes called patent trolls, from someone who has been fighting against NPEs.  But before we jump into the interview with Sharaz Gill, who has been fighting patent trolls, Ken Suzan has a story about a really important change in the procedures of the USPTO regarding the renewal of trademarks.  So Ken, take it away…

 

KS:      Rolf, the United States Patent and Trademark Office is about to tie a string around your finger in the form of e-mail reminders for trademark maintenance deadlines.  When dealing with trademark deadlines, it is critical that they be followed to avoid unnecessary cancellations of registrations.   In order to prevent forgetting registration maintenance filing deadlines, the United States Patent and Trademark Office will begin sending out courtesy reminders beginning in early 2015.  The reminders will be sent to all email addresses of record as listed within the Correspondence and Current Owner(s) sections of the USPTO records for the registration.

 

This will apply to Sections 8 and 71 declarations and Section 9 renewals.  It is such a simple idea that you may wonder why this has not been offered in the past.  If this idea catches on, it could spark other similar opportunities for reminders in other fields.

 

In order to receive these courtesy emails, the owner of the registration must meet three requirements....