Brand Protection in the Metaverse: Obtaining, Monitoring, and Enforcing Trademarks; Mitigating Risk

Partner Robert Weisbein and Of Counsel Andy Lee will participate in the live webinar “Brand Protection in the Metaverse: Obtaining, Monitoring, and Enforcing Trademarks; Mitigating Risk” hosted by Strafford Publications on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

The metaverse is shared interactive and collaborative virtual 3D worlds, where people can work and play. For example, a person can purchase merchandise with cryptocurrency, and after buying the merchandise, they can wear or use it and then lend it to a friend in the metaverse.

As brand owners work to engage with new consumers and increase brand loyalty, it is important to protect the brand, obtaining trademark protection for virtual goods and services. The USPTO has seen an uptick in new applications to register marks for use of the brand in virtual reality. Brand owners who fail to secure their trademark rights for virtual goods and services may find it difficult to combat infringement and effectively enforce their rights in the metaverse.

The panel will guide IP counsel on protecting brands in the metaverse, discussing trademark protection of brands in the metaverse and the use of protected works and third-party marks. The panel will also examine potential infringement and the liability risks, as well as what steps brand owners and their counsel can take to mitigate those risks.

Specific topics covered will include:

• How should counsel use trademark laws to protect IP in the metaverse? Will augmenting trademarks create a likelihood of confusion?
• What are the hurdles to protecting brands in the metaverse?
• What best practices should counsel employ to protect brands and enforce trademarks in the metaverse?

After the presentation, panelists will engage in a live question and answer session with participants. For more information and to register please visit the Strafford Publications website.