[E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
Bernheisel, Sarah
sbernheisel at keglerbrown.com
Tue Feb 11 18:18:54 UTC 2025
[laugh] Bernheisel, Sarah reacted to your message:
________________________________
From: E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> on behalf of Miriam Richter, Esq. via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 6:08:52 PM
To: For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>; Annette Heller <tmattorneyheller at aol.com>
Cc: Miriam Richter, Esq. <mrichter at richtertrademarks.com>
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
867-5309 🤣 Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Rachael Di͏​​‌͏
[External email]<https://summary.us1.defend.egress.com/v3/summary?ref=email&crId=67ab9318ae64b80da503c8c9&lang=en>
[Discusses sensitive information]<https://summary.us1.defend.egress.com/v3/summary?ref=email&crId=67ab9318ae64b80da503c8c9&lang=en>
867-5309 🤣
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: Rachael Dickson via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
Date: 2/11/25 11:15 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: Annette Heller <tmattorneyheller at aol.com>
Cc: Rachael Dickson <rachael at catalyticlaw.com>, e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
Kevin - I really don't know what the USPTO sees on their end regarding the account filing the application - that's beyond my knowledge base. I suspect they /can/ see whose account is doing what, but there's nothing in the system actually checking whether the log-in name matches the attorney name listed in the application.
Annette - This is beyond my actual knowledge and getting into hypotheses, but I actually don't think the scammers are using someone else's log-in. I think they're using their own log-ins, and listing other people's names in the attorney field on the application.
So for example - if I sign into my own account and validate it using my email address, that's getting me access to the application itself. At that point, there's really nothing to prevent me from listing Elle Woods, Perry Mason, or Saul Goodman in the attorney name field on an application. As far as I know, there's nothing in the system checking the accuracy of attorney names, bar numbers, bar jurisdiction, or year of licensure, so I could easily just put in 8675309, California, 1981, and it wouldn't be flagged or noted as anything unusual - as long as there's /something/ in there for applications claiming to be filed by an attorney.
On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM Annette Heller <tmattorneyheller at aol.com<mailto:tmattorneyheller at aol.com>> wrote:
When one logs in using their validation password, there is a two step process since a code is sent to either one's email address or text. So unless one has access to all the elements of a log in process how can a scammer use another party's log in? So it appears that the problem is in the validation process of setting up an account.
Annette
Annette P. Heller
Trademark/Copyright Attorney
TM Law & Associates
400 Chesterfield Center Ste 400
Chesterfield [St Louis] MO 63017
www.TrademarkAtty.com<http://www.trademarkatty.com/>
314-469-2610 Fax 314-469-4850
In a message dated 2/11/2025 10:43:17 AM Central Standard Time, e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com> writes:
Rachael,
With regard to your point #2 below, can the USPTO tell what login credentials were used to file an application? So, for example, if someone used John Smith’s login but listed me as the attorney (and signatory) on an application, is there any way for the PTO to tell it was filed under John Smith’s account and not mine?
If they can’t, then that’s a serious problem and does make the whole validation process kind of pointless.
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin Grierson​​​​
|
Partner
[cid:ii_194f5f701ee4cff312]<https://www.cm.law/>
[Mobile:]
757-726-7799
[Fax:]
866-521-5663
[Email:]
kgrierson at cm.law<mailto:kgrierson at cm.law>
Please note: Culhane Meadows is now CM Law<https://www.cm.law/cm-law-formerly-culhane-meadows-launches-second-decade-with-fresh-name-and-modern-brand/>
From: Rachael Dickson <rachael at catalyticlaw.com<mailto:rachael at catalyticlaw.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 10:55 AM
To: For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>>
Cc: Kevin Grierson <kgrierson at cm.law>
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
EXTERNAL EMAIL
Hi All,
I hosted an event on trademark scams a few months back and looked into these issues quite a lot back then (I believe you can access a recording of that event if you register for it here - https://www.altlegal.com/events/lloyd-mousilli-webinar-dont-get-tricked-unmasking-the-most-common-trademark-scams/).
A few notes on some of the various emails I've seen the last day or two.
1. Yes, there was a non-IP attorney's name listed on over 2,500 applications filed at the USPTO. Ana Vinueza was one of the speakers at my trademark scams event. You can read about Ana's story here. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/trademark-attorney-impersonation-scams-thrive-during-crackdown
Although the USPTO did remove her name from the applications, there have been new ones filed under her name since then; she's had to continually monitor the register to report new filings fraudulently listed under her name.
Ana unfortunately has also had a number of ethics complaints filed against her because of the scammers' use of her name and has been having to defend herself against them. It's really quite bad.
2. While you do have to validate your identity to log in and access the application system, there's absolutely nothing checking whether your log-in identity is the same as the attorney name listed in the application as the attorney. I know this for a fact because I regularly list my firm's managing partner's name as the attorney on my trademark applications (for continuity purposes) and I've never once been asked to verify his identity or my right to list him as an attorney. There's also nothing checking whether an attorney's bar number is accurate or not. So we really have a "locked the front door but left the window wide open" situation here.
I also have worked with Ana to help identify several other non-IP attorneys whose names were fraudulently listed on trademark applications; I've reached out to a few of them to alert them to the situation. All the attorneys I've found or spoken to whose names have been used in these scams are female attorneys barred in California; I'm not sure if this is a coincidence or not, but it is pretty alarming.
3. There is another type of trademark scam going around in which attorneys' names and bios have been stolen and used on websites and harassing cease and desist letters. This happened to another speaker at my trademark scam event - Kayla Jimenez. You can read more about her story here - https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/lawyers-worst-nightmare-attorney-voices-horror-after-falling-victim-trademark-impersonation-scam
Tl;dr The scams are really really bad right now. If you're angry about applications filed by or letters sent by a specific attorney, I'd highly suggest checking if that person even practices trademark law or works for the listed law firm before you file an ethics complaint or report them to the USPTO. It's unfortunately quite likely that they don't know /anything/ about it.
Also if you aren't doing so already, I'd suggest regularly searching the trademark register to make sure applications haven't been filed under your name without your knowledge.
Rachael Dickson
On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM Kevin Grierson via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:
This is the disconnect for me. If we have to validate who we are in order to file, how are the scammers filing using names of attorneys that aren’t involved, or using fake names altogether?
As for Mr. Stevens, if they aren’t filing under his name it seems that his identity hasn’t been “stolen,” at least as far as the PTO is concerned—scammers don’t have to verify attorney names for their ads and emails.
Kevin Grierson​​​​
|
Partner
[cid:ii_194f5f701ee4cff312]<https://www.cm.law/>
[Mobile:]
757-726-7799
[Fax:]
866-521-5663
[Email:]
kgrierson at cm.law<mailto:kgrierson at cm.law>
Please note: Culhane Meadows is now CM Law<https://www.cm.law/cm-law-formerly-culhane-meadows-launches-second-decade-with-fresh-name-and-modern-brand/>
From: E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com>> On Behalf Of Gerry J. Elman via E-trademarks
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2025 10:29 PM
To: For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>>
Cc: Gerry J. Elman <gerry at elman.com<mailto:gerry at elman.com>>
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
EXTERNAL EMAIL
But have you noticed that the trademark office already requires identity verification via Real ID? Neither I nor my sponsored paralegal can log into the trademark filing/prosecution system without having been verified.
-Gerry Elman
Elman IP
Denton, Texas
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
-------- Original message --------
From: Michael Brown via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>>
Date: 2/10/25 7:45 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: "For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice." <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>>
Cc: Michael Brown <michaeljbrownlaw at gmail.com<mailto:michaeljbrownlaw at gmail.com>>
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
But considering how they have geared TC to pro se filers, and specifically made it more time consuming for trademark attorneys, I doubt that the PTO would change course and require any certification.
Michael Brown
Michael J Brown Law Office
354 Eisenhower Parkway
Plaza I, 2nd Floor, Suite 2025
Livingston, NJ 07039
michaeljbrownlaw at gmail.com<mailto:michaeljbrownlaw at gmail.com>
michael at mjbrownlaw.com<mailto:michael at mjbrownlaw.com>
www.mjbrownlaw.com<http://www.mjbrownlaw.com/>
+1 973-577-6300 fax +1 973-577-6301
Google Voice +1 973-637-0358
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM Rick Bigelow via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:
In my opinion, this is all heading towards all of us being required to be certified by the TM Office, much the same as patent attorneys have to be registered to practice before the Patent Office. Only certified attorneys will be allowed to log into TM Center and submit/prosecute applications on behalf of clients.
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM carla calcagno via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:
Thanks. I will look into it.!
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM Bosland Law <office at bosland.law<mailto:office at bosland.law>> wrote:
Are they still using TMScams at uspto.gov<mailto:TMScams at uspto.gov>?
db
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 2:28 PM carla calcagno via E-trademarks <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>> wrote:
Thanks Susan. Assuming this is the case, does anyone know who to contact at USPTO to report the group trademark.info<http://trademark.info/> who is misusing his name? Would you recommend the Solicitor's Office or Office of Enrollment and Discipline for example ?
On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM Crane, Susan <susan.crane at wyndham.com<mailto:susan.crane at wyndham.com>> wrote:
They are probably “borrowing” his name. There is an attorney in California named Christopher H. Stevens, but he does not appear to be an IP attorney.
Susan L. Crane
Group Vice President, Legal
Intellectual Property, Brands & Marketing
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
22 Sylvan Way<https://www.google.com/maps/search/22+Sylvan+Way+%0D%0A+Parsippany,+NJ+07054?entry=gmail&source=g>
Parsippany, NJ 07054<https://www.google.com/maps/search/22+Sylvan+Way+%0D%0A+Parsippany,+NJ+07054?entry=gmail&source=g>
O (973) 753-6455
M (973) 879-3420
Susan.Crane at wyndham.com<mailto: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 carla calcagno via E-trademarks
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2025 5:01 PM
To: Oppedahl Carl <e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>>
Cc: carla calcagno <cccalcagno at gmail.com<mailto:cccalcagno at gmail.com>>
Subject: [E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens
One of my clients has been getting repeated letters allegedly from this person of "trademark-info" seeking to obtain trademark prosecution business. The client has asked him to stop contacting them, but he persists. I can't find
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart
This Message Is From an External Sender
Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Report Suspicious <https://us-phishalarm-ewt.proofpoint.com/EWT/v1/Nf401RNTQFE14GfWW3o!ksaLCl3JrGA1D24d9fKvH1wOyXrMKt8xpALKbyG12QQ_0VUtN-UpPSykEDEGxB3V0ixop3b6lI43D6QmCEyjYQMaLcLC3zSbgBb6pehHUU1Lg85wo9uqJfPF6GwGEQ$> ‌
ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd
One of my clients has been getting repeated letters allegedly from this person of "trademark-info" seeking to obtain trademark prosecution business. The client has asked him to stop contacting them, but he persists. I can't find any trademark registrations under his name at the USPTO.
Has anyone received letters from him before?
This email message (including all attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. Unless otherwise indicated in the body of this email, nothing in this communication is intended to operate as an electronic signature and this transmission cannot be used to form, document, or authenticate a contract. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and/or its affiliates may monitor all incoming and outgoing email communications in the United States, including the content of emails and attachments, for security, legal compliance, training, quality assurance and other purposes.
--
E-trademarks mailing list
E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com
--
E-trademarks mailing list
E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com
--
Richard L. Bigelow
Registered Patent Attorney
Certified Patent Valuation Analyst
43 Nuangola Ave.
Mountaintop, PA 18707 USA
--
E-trademarks mailing list
E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com
--
E-trademarks mailing list
E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com
--
E-trademarks mailing list
E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com<mailto:E-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com>
http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20250211/733250a5/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 285 bytes
Desc: image002.png
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20250211/733250a5/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 5049 bytes
Desc: image001.png
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20250211/733250a5/attachment-0001.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image004.png
Type: image/png
Size: 394 bytes
Desc: image004.png
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20250211/733250a5/attachment-0002.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.png
Type: image/png
Size: 452 bytes
Desc: image003.png
URL: <http://oppedahl-lists.com/pipermail/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com/attachments/20250211/733250a5/attachment-0003.png>
More information about the E-trademarks
mailing list