 Warning Relating to Your Trademarks: Unofficial Trademark Related Correspondence From Scam Companies
We have received inquiries from several clients recently concerning the receipt of communications concerning their trademark registrations. As a result, we want to warn you that there are several companies that send communications containing bogus offers of entry into a publication or register for a sum of money. Please note that these types of communications should be ignored, as there is only one official registry for your trademarks at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and other foreign trademark offices. The invoices originate from addresses in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Liechtenstein. We have been informed that several firm clients have inadvertently paid such invoices, believing them to be official communications required to maintain the company's trademarks. Please alert your accounting and financial personnel not to pay invoices relating to your trademarks which do not originate with your trademark attorneys.
These companies use publicly available information about your trademark registrations from the official databases maintained by the official Patent and Trademark Offices, then send very official-looking invoices to the proprietors of the trademarks. We have identified several such scam companies in and outside of the United States, such as (1) the American Trademark Agency; (2) the Trademark Protection Agency; (3) the Federated Institute for Patent & Trademark Registry; (4) the Company for Publications and Information Anstalt; and (5) the Commercial Centre for Industry and Trade.
However, any official communications should be sent to your official attorney of record, so we urge you to contact your counsel if you receive any communications concerning your trademarks from any third party.
"Basic Steps for Clearing and Registering Trademarks and Estimated Costs"
by Tawnya R. Wojciechowski
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