[E-trademarks] A new TM scam

[Leesa N. Weiss]

Looking for some new insight from the TM brain trust:

Last week, I received confirmation from the PTO that a change of correspondence had been filed in connection with a registration for which I am the correspondent of record. The only change that was made was to the secondary email address (the one that's hidden on TSDR); no change had been made with respect to the attorney/correspondent of record which remained with my firm. The new email address was "trademark@[registrant/registered mark].me" (yes, with a Montenegro domain name address). The change was not made by anyone associated with the registrant.

The CAR form allegedly was signed by me:  /Leesa N. Weiss/ -- in my capacity as the "Owner" of the registration (which I most definitely am not!).

I went into TEAS and changed the secondary email back to what it's supposed to be.

Over the weekend, Amazon Brand Registry sent a verification code to my firm. As is the usual case, Amazon can't identify who requested the verification code, but I suspected it was the party from Montenegro, which turned out to be the case as they (the Montenegro domain registrant) emailed me to request that I send them the verification code - which I have not done.

I responded to Amazon Brand Registry, advising them of the situation, but I have little hope of receiving a response. I will attempt to file an infringement claim with Amazon, but this clearly doesn't fit in the list of requirements for them to do anything.

I looked up the domain name using the Whois for the .me TLD, but like many of the .com domain names, it's hidden behind a privacy screen.

Have any of you/your clients encountered a similar situation? If so, how were you able to resolve it?

Thanks, in advance,

Leesa

Leesa N. Weiss
Partner
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9801 Washingtonian Boulevard, Suite 750
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
lweiss at esfip.com
Direct:  240-864-2472
Fax:  301-762-4056

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