Emergency Trademark Proposal

[Orion]

Based on recent events with Occupy Wall Street, it has come to the Legal Committee's attention that Occupy Chicago needs to focus on the need to protect our name through a trademark.

A few of us have been researching and speaking with lawyers about the steps involved to secure the right to protect the name of "Occupy Chicago." We've also spoken with a representative from OWS, who said they nearly missed the opportunity because an individual not associated with the movement had started filing paperwork. Luckily they took action, thereby blocking the unaffiliated from gaining control of the name. This gives the the legal ability to stop Jay-Z from merchandising the name and making a profit from branded shirts.

Our proposal states:
After reviewing OWS's paperwork, we need approval to access the funds through one of our sources of assets to cover the submission cost of (NOTE, we are now talking to probono attorney who says that this will cost us between $300 and $400 to do it at state and national level). We also need approval for the legal team to select a group of representatives to sign the documents associated with trademarking. These individuals will sign as an unincorporated association.

If this proposal passes, we will meet at Chicago Kent College of Law, this Monday at 5pm to discuss moving forward. All are welcome to join.

Anyone interested in joining the conversation should email legal@occupychi.org or speak to me after GA.

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

Sounds like you have all the details you need to file. What is the usage you are filing under?

[Orion]

We took back the proposal based on the new knowledge, as advised by an IP attorney who was at the GA that in Illinois TMs are first use not first-to-file. We are pursuing this at a more leisurely rate, just not pushing through a decision until all of the facts are given to the GA. Expect a new proposal soon and then a vote.

Thanks Everyone!