[E-trademarks] Christopher H Stevens

[Sam Castree]

No, Rachael, that's Jenny's bar number, not Saul's.

Cheers,

Sam Castree, III

*Sam Castree Law, LLC*
*3421 W. Elm St.*
*McHenry, IL 60050*
*(815) 344-6300*

On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 11:14 AM Rachael Dickson via E-trademarks <
e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com> wrote:

> 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>
> 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 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
>>
>> <https://www.cm.law/>
>>
>>
>> [image: Mobile:]
>>
>>   757-726-7799
>>
>> [image: Fax:]
>>
>>   866-521-5663
>>
>> [image: Email:]
>>
>>   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>
>> *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>
>> *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> 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
>>
>> <https://www.cm.law/>
>>
>>
>> [image: Mobile:]
>>
>>   757-726-7799
>>
>> [image: Fax:]
>>
>>   866-521-5663
>>
>> [image: Email:]
>>
>>   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> *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>
>> *Cc:* Gerry J. Elman <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>
>>
>> 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>
>>
>> Cc: Michael Brown <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
>>
>> michael at mjbrownlaw.com
>>
>> 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> 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> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks.  I will look into it.!
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM Bosland Law <office at bosland.law> wrote:
>>
>> Are they still using 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> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks Susan. Assuming this is the case, does anyone know  who to contact
>> at USPTO to report the group 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>
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* E-trademarks <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>
>> *Cc:* carla calcagno <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
>>
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>> 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?
>>
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>>
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>> 43 Nuangola Ave.
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