The Internet has become a powerful environment for companies to promote their products and services, distribute their content, and conduct business. But, protecting a company’s IP, particularly its trademarks and copyrights, in the online world can be a challenge. In this session, leading experts debated cutting edge topics affecting trademark and copyright rights on the Internet:
- The Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Is it satisfactory to balance the rights of content owners and online service providers, or does the statutory scheme need updating as Internet services have become more interactive?
- Internet keyword advertising: Is the sale and purchase of a competitor’s trademark as an Internet keyword a “use” in commerce? And if so, does it constitute trademark infringement?
- Domain name enforcement: How willing should trademark owners be to pay cybersquatters, typosquatters, and other domain name abusers to recover infringing domain names? Or are trademark owners better off pursuing legal action via UDRP proceedings or district court proceedings?
Panelists for this session include: Vanessa Cooper, Associate General Counsel, IP & Privacy, Kaplan, Inc.; Keith Hunt, Legal Counsel, Labatt Breweries of Canada; Luke Paglia, Associate General Counsel, American Eagle Outfitters Inc.; Stanley Pierre-Louis, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Viacom Inc.; Katherine Tabor, Senior Counsel, IP Litigation Practice; Robert Weisbein, Partner, IP Litigation Practice.