Susan V. Mazurek
Susan Mazurek shares experienced insight with clients seeking to protect their valuable intellectual property portfolios. Whether you’re filing, prosecuting or maintaining global trademarks, Susan is prepared to help businesses of any size in every industry. Susan has international firm experience in trademark and patent protection, as she’s managed portfolios for companies — from small businesses to multibillion-dollar organizations — in industries including beauty/cosmetics, music distribution, cannabis/hemp, restaurants, ridesharing, chemical manufacturing, paints/coatings, pesticides/fungicides, power transmission equipment manufacturing, customer relationship management and cloud-based software.
View the full bio for Susan V. Mazurek at the Faegre Drinker website.
Posts by Susan V. Mazurek
In the world of trademarks, specimens of use (or proof of use) play a crucial role in obtaining and maintaining a trademark registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). In this blog post, we’ll delve into the types of specimens that are accepted by the USPTO (hint: they’re not alien artifacts!), the specific requirements for each type of specimen, and some practical tips to help you navigate the selection process. So, grab your magnifying glass (figuratively, of course) and let’s examine the basics of specimens of use!
What is a Specimen of Use, and When Do I Need One?
Before the USPTO grants registration of your trademark, it wants to see tangible evidence that your mark is actually being used in U.S. commerce. That’s where specimens of use come in. A “specimen of use” simply means evidence of how a trademark is used. To meet the USPTO requirements, the evidence must show actual commercial use of the mark in the U.S. in connection with the goods and/or services claimed in the application or registration. There are three circumstances under which trademark owners are required to submit specimens proving use of their marks: (1) to obtain registration; (2) to maintain registration; and (3) to respond to a post-registration audit from the USPTO. Let’s investigate these scenarios further.
Continue reading “From Concept to Commerce: The Art of Trademark Specimens of Use”
Imagine poking fun at a famous brand or logo and getting away with it. In the United States, it’s not only possible, but can also be a recognized form of artistic expression known as trademark parody. Trademark parodies are a form of humorous or satirical commentary that uses a well-known trademark in a playful or critical manner. But typically, the target of that humor or satire is not amused. Companies invest a lot of time, effort, creativity, and resources into building their brands and creating positive associations with their trademarks. Thus, if a famous brand owner believes that the use of its trademark by a third party may damage its reputation, the company could take legal action against a parody mark to protect its image and trademark rights.
In this post, we will explore what constitutes a trademark parody and when it crosses the line of trademark infringement or dilution (which occurs when the recognition of a distinctive trademark is weakened due to unauthorized use by others).
Continue reading “Laugh It Off: A Guide to Parody Under U.S. Trademark Law”
We all know a picture is worth a thousand words, but did you know a trademark can be worth BILLIONS of dollars? In fact, some of the top trademarks in the world are worth hundreds of billions. What’s the secret to this branding success? A strong trademark!
A trademark serves many purposes. Two of the more important purposes are: (1) identifying the source of a company’s or individual’s goods or services; and (2) indicating to consumers the quality or type of goods or services identified by the mark. Consumers rely on trademarks to make informed decisions about the goods and services they purchase or use.
Continue reading “Branding Success: How to Select a Strong Trademark”