Image via IPRGroup
Approximately 10,000 trademark and intellectual property (IP) professionals
from over 140 countries got together in Washington, DC, May 4-9, 2012 for the Annual International Trademark Association Conference to
discuss the state of global trademark law and the business aspects of
trademarks and IP in a globalized economy.
The subjects discussed included traditional trademark topics, including
brand strength and international registrations through Madrid Protocol. However, it was the interaction of trademarks
with other forms of IP protection, such as Industrial Designs, Internet
Domains, and Geographic Indicators to name a few, that illuminated
possibilities highlighted a source of conflicts.
Balancing traditional Patent protection with other forms of IP protection
should be in the mind of every inventor –entrepreneur as s/he contemplates
going to market.
