Hashtag Trademarks: Legal and Practical Implications of Use by Brand Owners or Third Parties

A live 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

1:00pm-2:30pm EDT, 10:00am-11:30am PDT

Early Registration Discount Deadline, Friday, February 24, 2023

or call 1-800-926-7926
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This CLE course will guide trademark counsel on the use of trademarks as hashtags. The panel will examine the pros and cons of using a mark as a hashtag. The panel will discuss determining whether to use a mark as a hashtag, how to use it, and the steps to take to protect the mark when using it as a hashtag. The panel will also address the pros and cons of registering hashtags as trademarks.

Description

More and more brand owners are using hashtags that integrate their trademarks. Brand owners also see their marks used by third parties as hashtags on social media. Should registered marks be used as hashtags? What are some of the complications that can arise from third-party use of a mark as (or within) a hashtag? Should a hashtag be registered as a trademark?

Hashtags can be found all over social media and can be a great tool to build brand awareness. However, companies and counsel should keep in mind that the brand owner may not appreciate your use of their marks as a hashtag. Further, the use may give rise to an infringement or other claim.

This is a complex area, and counsel should consider all potential implications of using a trademark as a hashtag both by the brand owner and third parties, as well as the utility and benefits of registering hashtags for trademark protection.

Listen as our authoritative panel of IP attorneys examines the use of trademarks as hashtags.

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Outline

  1. Can a hashtag function as a trademark?
  2. Using one's own trademark as a hashtag
    1. Pros and cons
    2. Fair use and other considerations when determining whether to use the mark as a hashtag
  3. When can the use of a hashtag give rise to liability?
    1. Case examples
    2. Approval process
    3. Monitoring marks
  4. IP protection
    1. Can it be registered as a mark? Should it be?
    2. Enforcement considerations

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key issues:

  • What considerations should brand owners and their counsel weigh when determining whether to use a trademark as a hashtag?
  • What should a brand owner consider before using a hashtag?
  • What are some best practices for the protection of your hashtags?

Faculty

Coates, Stephen
Stephen J. Coates
Founder
Coates IP

Mr. Coates is an expert on areas surrounding trademarks, copyright, domain names, unfair competition, marketing,...  |  Read More

Additional faculty
to be announced.
Attend on March 21

Early Discount (through 02/24/23)

Cannot Attend March 21?

Early Discount (through 02/24/23)

You may pre-order a recording to listen at your convenience. Recordings are available 48 hours after the webinar. Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.

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