Orrin Hatch: “I rise to introduce the Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act of 1998. This legislation makes necessary changes in our…”

“I rise to introduce the Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act of 1998. This legislation makes necessary changes in our domestic trademark law and procedures to ensure that we are in compliance when we ratify the treaty, which appears more likely this year than previously. The Trademark Law Treaty was done and signed at Geneva in October of 1994, and entered into force in 1996. The obligations under the Trademark Law Treaty legislation will require some relatively minor changes to U.S. trademark practice, but will bring significant improvements in the trademark practices of a number of important countries around the world in which U.S. trademark owners seek protection. The required changes will eliminate complexities and simplify the process of obtaining, renewing, and managing trademark assets for American firms marketing their products and services around the world. Countries around the world have a number of varying requirements for filing trademark applications, effecting changes of ownership of trademark registrations, and other procedures associated with managing trademark assets.”