DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2014) — How businesses and individuals can protect their intellectual property will be the topic of a one-hour seminar the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) plans to present at its upcoming trade show in Las Vegas.
The seminar — “Protecting Your Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights: The Experts Tell You How” — will be presented from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, before the SEMA Show starts, in Room N252 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“The specialty-aftermarket industry thrives on creativity,” SEMA said. “However, what is innovative may also be subject to imitators in the face of fierce competition in a global marketplace.
“To help safeguard your innovations and investments, a representative from the FBI and seasoned intellectual property attorneys will provide you with valuable insights in a one-hour seminar on protecting your patents, trademarks and copyrights in the United States and overseas.”
Topics covered by the seminar will include:
- Protecting intellectual property at trade shows and online;
- Understanding the difference between counterfeits, unlawful knock-offs and legal imitations;
- Identifying fake merchandise; and
- Working with Customs, the FBI and other government agencies to seize pirated products and prevent illegal knock-offs.
SEMA said time also will be allotted for specific questions.
The Diamond Bar-based trade group also is setting aside time, from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Nov. 4, for free one-on-one meetings in room LVCC N242 in the convention center with an intellectual property rights or antitrust attorney.
Private meetings are available in 20-minute segments, SEMA said, on topics that include:
- Designing and implementing resale and minimum advertised price (MAP) programs;
- Working with the FBI to stop criminal activity;
- Distinguishing between counterfeit product, unlawful knock-offs and legal imitations;
- Applying for federal patent, trademark or copyright protection;
- Strategies for enforcing rights in the U.S. and overseas; and
- New procedures for working with Customs and local ports.
To schedule an appointment, contact SEMA's Ashley Ailsworth via email at [email protected] or call 202-783-6007, ext. 19. Participants should specify their area of interest when scheduling appointment(s) in order to be paired with an attorney specializing in that discipline.
For more information about the 2014 SEMA Show, click here.