[E-trademarks] New twist on the latest TM scam--reaching out to owners of lapsed applications/registrations
Carl Oppedahl
carl at oppedahl.com
Mon Feb 12 18:41:07 EST 2024
In our office, when we prepare a TEAS form for e-signature by a client,
we pre-populate the phone-number field with dashes or zeroes. This
makes it impossible for the signer to enter a phone number.
Yes you are quite right that the Trademark Office should do away with
the telephone-number field, at least for cases in which the applicant is
represented by counsel.
On 2/12/2024 6:30 PM, Erik Pelton wrote:
>
> The phone numbers are easy to find because clients put their phone
> number in when they signed the application (I just looked it up
> myself, and found Susan’s client’s phone number in the TSDR page for
> the new application).
>
> A few thoughts on this phone number scam situation:
>
> * The scammers who are preying on trademark applicants know that
> this is where they can find phone numbers. They can easily
> (manually or with software) pull hundreds of phone numbers each day.
> * The phone number field is not required and we instruct all clients
> to leave it blank or use our law firm’s number. Of course, some do
> not read the instructions and submit it anyways.
> * We send clients copies of new applications – including a warning
> about the various scams – as soon as possible after filing, since
> the scammers may begin calling/writing within 1 day.
> * Pro bono clients do not have anyone warning them about this, or
> any reason to be wary of putting their phone number in the
> application. The text on the USPTO forms and website is
> insufficient – it is there, but it is among hundreds of lines of
> text and notices in the application forms.
> * The USPTO should immediately do away with this field in the
> signature block, at a minimum.
> * The USPTO could give applicants easy way to scrub phone numbers
> that are in the public records.
>
> Erik Pelton
>
> *Erik M Pelton*
>
>
> Founder & Lead Attorney
> 703-525-8009
> Schedule a call with Erik <https://erikpelton.as.me/ClientCall>
>
> EMPALOGO.jpg <https://www.erikpelton.com/>
>
> See website bio <https://www.erikpelton.com/about/> for licensing
> information.
>
> *From:*E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> *On
> Behalf Of *Crane, Susan via E-trademarks
> *Sent:* Monday, February 12, 2024 4:29 PM
> *To:* Carl Oppedahl <carl at oppedahl.com>; For trademark practitioners.
> This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice.
> <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Cc:* Crane, Susan <susan.crane at wyndham.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [E-trademarks] New twist on the latest TM
> scam--reaching out to owners of lapsed applications/registrations
>
> Carl, the client is a non-profit that operates both a website and two
> coffee shops, so yes, a scammer could easily look up a phone number.
> I think someone else recently reported on this scam as well. But scary.
>
> *Susan L. Crane*
>
> *Group Vice President, Legal*
>
> *Intellectual Property, Brands & Marketing*
>
> Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
>
> 22 Sylvan Way
>
> Parsippany, NJ 07054
>
> *O*(973) 753-6455
>
> *M*(973) 879-3420
>
> Susan.Crane at wyndham.com
>
> *From:*Carl Oppedahl <carl at oppedahl.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, February 12, 2024 4:18 PM
> *To:* For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek
> legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [E-trademarks] New twist on the latest TM
> scam--reaching out to owners of lapsed applications/registrations
>
> Let's see if I follow you on this. The scammer went to the trouble of
> looking up the phone number of the client (how does one even look up
> phone numbers these days?) and used that phone number to contact the
> client?
>
> I suppose the client might have some online presence such as a web
> site, with a phone number in it.
>
> But wow. The scammer would go to this extra trouble?
>
> Until now what I have been communicating to clients, when we file a
> trademark application, is that they will be getting scam letters in
> the mail. And I go out of my way to avoid including a client phone
> number in anything that I file, just as you do.
>
> But now I guess what I have to do is add another sentence to the
> warning, namely to watch out for scam phone calls as well.
>
> Dang it.
>
> Thank you for posting.
>
> On 2/12/2024 3:29 PM, Crane, Susan via E-trademarks wrote:
>
> I had a pro bono client for whom I filed two applications on
> Friday (with no phone number listed for the applicant) receive a
> phone call today from the “Application Assistance Unit” telling
> her she needed to pay $500 to complete the applications.
> Thankfully she was suspicious and reached out to me.
>
> Sue
>
> *Susan L. Crane*
>
> *Group Vice President, Legal*
>
> *Intellectual Property, Brands & Marketing*
>
> Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
>
> 22 Sylvan Way
>
> Parsippany, NJ 07054
>
> *O*(973) 753-6455
>
> *M*(973) 879-3420
>
> Susan.Crane at wyndham.com
>
> *From:*E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com>
> <mailto:e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> *On Behalf Of
> *Kevin Grierson via E-trademarks
> *Sent:* Monday, February 12, 2024 3:24 PM
> *To:* for trademark practitioners
> <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> <mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
> *Cc:* Kevin Grierson <kgrierson at cm.law> <mailto:kgrierson at cm.law>
> *Subject:* [E-trademarks] New twist on the latest TM
> scam--reaching out to owners of lapsed applications/registrations
>
> In this case, they are contacting folks who HAVE filed for
> trademark applications and claiming a conflicting application is
> coming through (in this case, it was a registration that a client
> intentionally allowed to lapse): Kevin GriersonPartner
>
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> In this case, they are contacting folks who HAVE filed for
> trademark applications and claiming a conflicting application is
> coming through (in this case, it was a registration that a client
> intentionally allowed to lapse):
>
> *Kevin Grierson
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.culhanemeadows.com/attorney/kevin-grierson/__;!!Nf401RNTQFE14GfWW3o!hbaSz0aptGDP93nDUrZJq_3OoNqJCJP--cfAKb8ltJyU1k1yMEzELGNybNMgCw3n4mGlbRhTCEM6izuY3l3jo5nHPPDfMwM$>*
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>
> From: <michael.harrison at usptotrademarked.com>
> Date: Mon, Feb 12, 2024 at 2:13 PM
> Subject: RE: Trademark Conflict - Action Required!
> To:
>
> *Dear XXXXXXX*
>
> I hope this email finds you well. We are writing to address a
> time-sensitive matter related to your trademark application named
> “*XXXXXX*”. Upon reviewing your application, it has come to our
> attention that while you initiated the trademark application
> process, you did not proceed with the government classifications,
> resulting in an incomplete filing. Unfortunately, due to this
> incomplete filing, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
> (USPTO) has received another application for the same trademark
> and name.
>
> The USPTO has notified us that there is a potential conflict
> between your application and the new application. To resolve this
> matter, we need your immediate clarification on your intent to
> proceed with the registration of the trademark under the same name
> and mark. If you still intend to proceed with the trademark
> registration, we require your confirmation within the next 24
> hours. Failure to confirm your intention to register will result
> in the USPTO transferring the rights to the trademark name and
> mark to the new applicant. Please understand that time is of the
> essence, and we strongly recommend that you respond promptly to
> this email. If you have any questions or need further assistance,
> please do not hesitate to contact us immediately at 442-305-4348.
>
> We understand the significance of your trademark and are
> committed to helping you navigate this situation. Your swift
> action will ensure the protection of your rights and interests.
>
> Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
>
> Regards,
>
> Michael Harrison
>
> Paralegal officer
>
> PH : 442-305-4348
>
> *Kevin Grierson
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.culhanemeadows.com/attorney/kevin-grierson/__;!!Nf401RNTQFE14GfWW3o!hbaSz0aptGDP93nDUrZJq_3OoNqJCJP--cfAKb8ltJyU1k1yMEzELGNybNMgCw3n4mGlbRhTCEM6izuY3l3jo5nHPPDfMwM$>*
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> This message is for the personal and confidential use of the
> intended recipient(s) and may be subject to attorney-client
> privilege. If you have received this communication in error,
> please notify the sender immediately. Please note that general
> marketing updates/legal news alerts provided by Culhane Meadows or
> its attorneys are for informational purposes only and should not
> be relied on as legal advice for any specific situation. Laws can
> change rapidly and, therefore, you should always consult with your
> CM attorney to ensure you have the most accurate and current
> counsel pertaining to your situation.
>
> This email message (including all attachments) is for the sole use
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> communications in the United States, including the content of
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