[E-trademarks] Corsearch sending takedown notices for TM infringement: How is this not UPL?

Tue May 14 11:54:17 EDT 2024

It may vary by state, but a quick look at online UPL opinions shows that at least some jurisdictions consider the sending of demand letters to the practice of law. See https://www.isba.org/sites/default/files/ethicsopinions/23-01.pdf (dealing with an attorney not admitted in IL).

Kevin Grierson
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From: trachtenbergm at gtlaw.com <trachtenbergm at gtlaw.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 11:46 AM
To: e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com
Cc: Kevin Grierson <kgrierson at cm.law>
Subject: RE: Corsearch sending takedown notices for TM infringement: How is this not UPL?

EXTERNAL EMAIL
Is sending a trademark violation notice or demand letter the practice of law?

Marc H. Trachtenberg
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Chair, Internet, Domain Name, e-Commerce and Social Media Practice
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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: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 10:31 AM
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] Corsearch sending takedown notices for TM infringement: How is this not UPL?

*EXTERNAL TO GT*
My client got a takedown notice from Corsearch today on behalf of a non-US third party, claiming that my client was using the third party’s mark (which was very odd for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that the mark my client is supposed to be infringing doesn’t appear anywhere on the client’s website as Corsearch claims).

Apart from the fact that the claim is complete bullshit, it seems very odd to me that Corsearch is sending cease and desist notices making legal claims on behalf of third parties.  Is there some exception to the UPL rules I’m not aware of?  They provided a POA, but to my knowledge a POA doesn’t give the party receiving the power to right to practice law on behalf of its client.  Otherwise there’d be no need to have a law license to represent people in legal matters.

kwg

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