Trademark Office Warns of Foreign Solicitation of Attorney Info (1)

U.S. attorneys could face discipline if they accept foreign offers of money to put their names on trademark applications, the Patent and Trademark Office warned.

The agency said Feb 22 it received reports of foreign solicitations from “China and perhaps elsewhere” in apparent efforts to circumvent proposed new rules requiring a U.S. attorney to file trademark applications. The PTO hopes the rules will address an overwhelming and increasing flow of foreign applications—many non-compliant with U.S. law—especially from China.

The office said attorneys who accept agreements to add their name on foreign applications would likely violate its rules of professional conduct, ...