Brand Clearance from an In-house Perspective

Kathy Belleau, Assistant General Counsel - Intellectual Property and Procurement Legal, Pitney Bowes Inc., USA

With shifting trends in business strategies based upon the current state of the economy and the expanded use of the internet, many companies are rethinking their brand strategies and are moving from products and manufacturing to services and consulting. With this trend there seems to be a greater emphasis on trademarks and service marks as opposed to patents. Throughout this article the term “trademark” will be used to designate a brand for goods as well as services. We all know what a trademark is; the definition propounded by the United States Patent and Trademark Office is:

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Pitney Bowes provides software, hardware, and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels. Long known for making its customers more productive, Pitney Bowes is increasingly helping other companies grow their business. Pitney Bowes is a $5.6 billion company and employs 33,000 personnel worldwide. Pitney Bowes: Every connection is a new opportunity.