Category: Events/Speaking Engagements

Gibney IP Partner Angelo Mazza recently spoke the webinar entitled “The Tools of the Italian System for the Protection of Intellectual Property and the Fight Against Anticounterfeiting in the US”. The webinar covered the many brand protection options, public and private, that exist under the American system. Angelo directed his comments, in Italian, to the importance of law enforcement training as part of an overall approach to brand protection.

Sponsored by the Embassy of Italy in Washington, the Italian Trade Agency and the Guardia di Finanza and conducted in English and Italian, the webinar was aimed at Italian brands interested in entering the US market for the first time and the use of laws to protect their products and intellectual property. Other speakers represented National IPR Center, Guardia di Finanza, the IACC and the Italian Trade Agency.

Intellectual property is a cornerstone for the US and other world economies. Understanding issues and procedures is important to secure success and to avoid the pitfalls and impact of counterfeit goods on a brand. Gibney’s IP team offers a comprehensive approach to brand protection which includes trademark registration, Customs recordation, online enforcement, law enforcement training and civil action. Mr. Mazza’s practice includes Customs issues, law enforcement training and cooperation and online monitoring and enforcement. He is fluent in Italian

Brian W. Brokate will speak at the Practising Law Institute’s Intellectual Property Law Institute 2021 event on September 28, 2021 on the “Trademark” panel.

He will focus on developments in anti-counterfeiting and combatting counterfeiters during an unprecedented era. Other topics will include:

• Direct liability: An overview of the groundbreaking decisions from the past year including the recent trial court decision in Romag Fasteners, Inc. v Fossil, Inc.
• Seizures and ex parte remedies: Recent trends and the checklist that should be followed when applying for a seizure order
• Contributory liability
• An update on the Ongoing Battle Against Online Printers: A discussion about the recent decisions in Atari Interactive, Inc. v Redbubble, Inc., LTTB LLC v. Redbubble, Inc. and Ohio State University v. Redbubble, Inc.
• Landlord liability: A Review of the Second Circuit’s decision in Omega SA v. 375 Canal, LLC
• Hot trends: A Look at Cases Brought by Online Marketplaces and Social Media Platforms against Counterfeiters
• The rise of counterfeiting during the COVID-19 pandemic: What you need to know to protect your brand

For more information and to register visit the PLI website.

Intellectual Property Partner Angelo E.P. Mazza will speak at the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) webinar on August 19, 2021 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET. The program is titled “Brand Protection Basics – Practical Tips for Protecting Your Rights at the U.S. Border.”

About the Program

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is often described as the first line of defense against counterfeits in the U.S. With approximately 800 million shipments valued at over $2.4 trillion entering the U.S. market through over 300 ports each year, CBP faces the monumental task of identifying and interdicting illicit goods and keeping them out of the hands of American consumers, while ensuring the efficient flow of legitimate trade. This informative program will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from brand representatives who will share practical tips and advice drawn from years of experience partnering with CBP.

Topics include:
• IP recordation;
• Best practices for training;
• What to expect in interacting with your government counterparts; and
• How you can leverage government resources to make your own efforts more cost-effective and budget-friendly.

This hour-long session will equip you with tools and guidance to effectively partner with CBP to protect your brand at the border.

Other speakers include Mandy McCarthy, Director / Infringement Administrator at The Lumistella Company. The panel will be moderated by Travis Johnson, Vice President – Legislative Affairs, Sr. Counsel, IACC.

Learn more and register on the IACC website.

IP Partners Brian W. Brokate and Angelo E.P. Mazza will speak at the Practising Law Institute’s Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement 2021 NY event on January 7, 2021.  Brian Brokate is also co-chair of the event. This will be the tenth year that Brian and Angelo have participated in this program.

Angelo will lead the first panel “Current Government IP Enforcement Programs.” Topics include:

• HSI’s Covid-19 investigations
• Operation Stolen Promise
• Developing agency-wide strategies
• Hurdles and successes of multi-agency teams
• Ongoing efforts to curb imports and sales
• Taking on charlatans and unproven cures
• Made in the USA claims for Covid-19 related products
• Covid scams facing consumers and businesses

Brian Brokate will speak alongside Cheryl Wang of David Yurman on the “Anticounterfeiting Update” panel. Topics include:

• Direct liability: An overview of the groundbreaking decisions from the past year and practical guidance on how to build a strong case for statutory damages
• Getting it right. Seizures and ex parte remedies: Recent trends and the checklist that should be followed when applying for a seizure order
• Contributory liability and the ongoing battle against online printers: A discussion about the recent decision in Y.Y.G.M. SA v. Redbubble, Inc.
• Recent legislation: What you need to know about the SHOP SAFE Act and other pending legislation
• How enforcement has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-effective strategies used by brands during these unprecedented times
• Brian W. Brokate, Cheryl Wang

For more information on the program, visit the PLI website.

Brian Brokate will speak at PLI’s upcoming program Intellectual Property Law: Trademark and Copyright Review 2020 on September 15. His session is titled “Developments in Anti-counterfeiting.”

Topics will include:

• Statutory Damages: Recent decisions and what every brand should consider when building a case
• Practical guidance for obtaining a seizure order: Recent trends and the checklist that should be followed when applying for a seizure order
• Third-Party Liability & The SHOP SAFE Act: An overview of the proposed legislation and the impact it will have on e-commerce
• The rise of counterfeiting during the COVID-19 pandemic: What you need to know to protect your brand

Brian Brokate and Associate Maja Szumarska also co-authored a chapter on this topic for the program handbook.