Jeff Kobulnick Moderates and Speaks at INTA’s Brands in Society Conference

Jeff Kobulnick recently moderated the panel “Sponsorships and Partnerships: Brands and CSR Collaborations” and was a speaker on another panel “Enforcement in the Court of Public Opinion: Brand Strategies in Unpredictable Times” at INTA’s Brands in Society: Their Influence and Responsibility Conference, which took place from June 22 through June 23, 2020.

 

Originally scheduled to take place in New York, the International Trademark Association’s conference moved to an online platform and focused on discussions about the important role brands play in society.

 

Jeff’s appearances were recapped in Rani Mehta’s Managing IP article “INTA New York: How brands balance enforcement with good PR.” The article includes several statements Jeff made during the program, where panelists spoke about enforcing trademarks while maintaining brand loyalty, integrity, and goodwill.

 

“Jeffrey Kobulnick, partner at law firm BG Law in California, said brands should be mindful of what kinds of activities they send cease and desist letters for. ‘Not every use of a trademark without permission is a violation of trademark owners’ rights, so you really have to look at what’s going on.’ Jeff said brands should consider whether they are dealing with a major competitor or with an individual who might not be as savvy when it comes to IP. Sometimes, instead of sending cease and desist letters, brands can make a phone call, send an email or look on LinkedIn to see if there is a mutual connection before reaching out, he added.”

The Brands in Society: Their Influence and Responsibility Conference was INTA’s first ever virtual conference. It was incredibly well attended and received, and the timely topics related well to the current international environment and landscape.