VOA标准英语2011--International Trademark Laws Vital to Global Businesses

International Trademark¹ Laws Vital to Global Businesses

Companies go to great lengths to protect their trademarks² and logos. A recent conference by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) highlighted the importance and the difficulty of doing that. The two day event drew more than 10,000 visitors of all ages.

Costumed characters were doing more than amusing visitors as they roamed around the National Trademark Expo - they were educating them.

"Trademarks extend not only to a picture or a logo but we have some characters trademarks," noted³ USPTO Commissioner⁴ Deborah Cohn. "So children actually see a lot of trademarks and have a lot to do with trademarks. We want people of all ages to know that it is very important to buy legitimate⁵ products rather than counterfeit⁶ products."

Cohn adds that trademarks can take many other forms, as well, including colors, smells and sounds. That surprises many Expo visitors.

"[Take for example] the lion's roar at the beginning of the MGM films. That is registered as a trademark. So maybe you could use a lion's roar for something completely different, but not for the films," Cohn added.

Trademark violations⁷ can hurt a business' reputation, and its bottom line. Last year, U.S. officials seized almost $200 million worth of counterfeit products, which looked like the real thing.

Consumers can be hurt, too. C. T. Toner is with GED Testing Service, which develops an exam for earning a U.S. high school equivalency diploma. It has more than 3000 testing sites worldwide.

"We want everyone here in the expo to know that there are a lot of fraudulent programs online who use the GED name," said Toner. "So we don't want people to be taken advantage of, go online pay $300 for a test, get a diploma and realize that it was actually not a GED test that can be used for job or for a college entrance."

Entertainer Chubby⁸ Checker, who popularized the dance, the twist, in the 1960s, introduced a new trademarked candy bar he is selling for charity.

"[It is called] Chubby's Checkerbar. [It's in] a few places, but not big yet. But we think over the next couple of years this bar will be all over the world," said Checker.

For business owners, like Checker, who plan on expanding to global markets, the Expo offered seminars about protecting their brand.

"If infringing⁹ goods were being manufactured in China, just by example, and they are being sent from China, they are being sent into the United States. You do not have any rights in China at this time, what is your remedy?" asked Susan Anthoy of the USPTO.

Deborah Cohn says trademark protection extends only to national borders.

"So if you register your mark in the United States, then your rights extend in the United States. You would register it in each country that you want protection in," explained Cohn.

That is what David Holmes has learned today. The musician sells his CDs and performs live.

"When you are using the Internet, that is basically international and as a musician you probably would want your music to go internationally. I know I do," said Holmes.

Holms adds that he is now thinking of ways to protect his name as a trademark in the global marketplace.

1 trademark   

n.商标；特征；vt.注册的…商标

参考例句：

• The trademark is registered on the book of the Patent Office.该商标已在专利局登记注册。
• The trademark of the pen was changed.这钢笔的商标改了。

2 trademarks   

n.（注册）商标( trademark的名词复数 )；（人的行为或衣着的）特征，标记

参考例句：

• Motrin and Nuprin are trademarks of brands of ibuprofen tablets. Nuprin和Motrin均是布洛芬的商标。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Many goods in China have the trademarks of a panda. 中国的许多商品都带有熊猫的商标。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

5 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

6 counterfeit   

vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的

参考例句：

• It is a crime to counterfeit money.伪造货币是犯罪行为。
• The painting looked old but was a recent counterfeit.这幅画看上去年代久远，实际是最近的一幅赝品。

7 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

8 chubby   

adj.丰满的，圆胖的

参考例句：

• He is stocky though not chubby.他长得敦实，可并不发胖。
• The short and chubby gentleman over there is our new director.那个既矮又胖的绅士是我们的新主任。

9 infringing   

v.违反（规章等）( infringe的现在分词 )；侵犯（某人的权利）；侵害（某人的自由、权益等）

参考例句：

• The material can be copied without infringing copyright. 这份材料可以复制，不会侵犯版权。
• The media is accused of infringing on people's privacy. 人们指责媒体侵犯了大家的隐私。 来自《简明英汉词典》