Trademark Lawyer FOIA Suit

Here is an interesting footnote to my recent post on Customs and Border Protection's enforcement of intellectual property rights.

First, I received an e-mail from some well-respected customs lawyers expressing concerns over Customs' enforcement. The concerns included the timing of infringement decisions and, surprisingly, the fact that Customs' has seized legitimate merchandise bearing registered a trademark on the theory that the registered trademark infringed another registered trademark. That sounds like CBP has stepped into the Patent and Trademark Office's territory.

Another interesting point is this post by Seattle Trademark Lawyer Michael Atkins. According to the post, another Seattle trademark lawyer has filed a suit under the Freedom of Information Act seeking the release of all seizure notices relating to counterfeit merchandise. From the post, it is not clear whether the suit goes so far as to seek records of detentions and Notices to Redeliver. Either way, it is also not clear what has triggered the plaintiff's interest. It is hard to say whether the plaintiff thinks CBP is being too tough or not tough enough, or has some other interest entirely.

Maybe the suit is trying to get identifying information on specific importers. That possibility, by the way, relates directly to the District Court's decision to uphold Customs denial of the request on the grounds that releasing the information would release competitively sensitive information. That triggers exception 4 to the FOIA. Apparently, an appeal has been filed.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Larry -

What's this lawyer in Seattle doing? Trying to troll Customs records to solicit clients? The information he's seeking is definitely business-sensitive and FOIA-exempt.

Your faithful Customs retiree.
Nov 11, 2009, 10:56:00 AM
elon said…
Of course he's trolling. Just the same, if the information is "business confidential" for this requestor(er?), then do you reconcile customs divulging the information to the trademark owner?
Maybe another exemption applies, but as for business confidentiality, you can't have it both ways.
Nov 12, 2009, 7:09:00 PM
Matt said…
Watkins v. USCBP, USDC Western District of Washington, C-08-1679-JLR. Watkins is clearly trolling for business by challenging 19 CFR 133.21(c), which provides a narrow exception for CBP to disclose limited information to the TM holder upon seizure for enforcement purposes. AAEI filed an affadavit in support of Customs.
Nov 14, 2009, 3:08:00 PM
David Morson said…
It has given me lots of information regarding customs law in US.
Nov 17, 2009, 1:44:00 AM
Japanese Patent said…
Hello Dude,

Trademark law is a body of federal statutes, regulations and case law that protects business trade names and logos. A trademark attorney is knowledgeable about the case law and legislation surrounding trademarks and is able to help clients in applying for and defending their trademarks. Thanks.
Dec 16, 2011, 8:25:00 PM
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