A pre-recorded streaming video replay of the April 2021 webcast, Trademarks, Pictures, and Social Media.
Course Outline
- Understand when and how you can get trademark protection for distinctive terms you use on social media
- Learn how to protect your trademarks from improper use by others on social media without getting a bad reputation
- Avoid copyright and right-of-publicity mistakes in posting pictures on business social-media accounts
A social-media presence is necessary for companies to gain exposure and connect with consumers, but it sometimes seems like social media is the Wild West when it comes to protecting trademarks and posting pictures. This seminar explores trademark topics specific to social media. It covers best practices for establishing and protecting trademarks on social media and how to protect trademarks while not getting an online reputation as a trademark bully. It also examines intellectual property issues raised by posting pictures on business social-media accounts.
Join us for this essential program taught by John Farmer, an intellectual property attorney with years of experience in trademark and copyright law and protecting that IP in evolving technology environments.
Topics to be covered include:
- How and when you can get trademark protection for names, words, phrases, and logos you use on social media
- How to use your trademarks properly on social media and commonly made mistakes
- Best practices for protecting your trademarks on social media through watching and policing without getting an online reputation as a bully
- Dealing with others using your trademark as a hashtag, and when you can have trademark rights in a hashtag
- Usernames, screen names, and vanity URLs—protecting what you have and dealing with conflicts with usernames/screen names used by others
- Fan usage of your brands—protecting your trademark while not alienating fans
- Dealing with online parodies and imitators
- Attempting takedowns of infringing usages in social media—how it’s done and when it works
- How to avoid genericizing your trademark when using it on social media
- Posting pictures in business social-media accounts—copyright law, fair use, and when you may need a license
- What impact do the terms of service of social-media sites have on posting pictures?
- Limitations imposed by the right of publicity on posting pictures on business social-media accounts
