Photo of James Hastings

James Hastings is an attorney with the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Practice Group of Practus, LLP.  He is a certified mediator of the INTA Panel of Mediators, an international roster of select professionals with expertise in trademark dispute resolution.

James is the publisher of Trademark Opposition Lawyer, an online advisory dedicated to helping brand owners understand important issues that arise in proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.  His commentary has been featured on Corporate Counsel, Law.com, LegalZoom,and other digital publications.

He devotes his practice to trademark opposition and trademark cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Over the course of his career, he has represented the interests of numerous national and international brand owners in trademark litigation matters in both the U.S. District Courts and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Prior to his current affiliation with Practus, LLP, James was in-house counsel to a New England-based catalog retailer, where he was responsible for developing trademark portfolio acquisition, protection, and licensing strategies.  Earlier in his career, he was a partner and associate at intellectual property law firms in New York, where he was engaged in trademark portfolio and intellectual property protection work on behalf of well-known fashion and personal care brands.

James is a member of the New York and Connecticut bars.  He has lectured at University MBA programs and legal education conferences on the issues of trademark protection and e-commerce law.

Past and Present Membership

  • International Trademark Association
  • Association Corporate Counsel
  • National E-tailing and Mail Order Organization of America

Editor’s Note:  Japan trademark opposition law is the focus of this article in our ongoing series on global trademark opposition laws and strategy.

Japan is an example of a country that respects the intellectual property rights of international trademark owners.

Here are some important things to know.

Who may file.  Any person may file with…

Managing Intellectual Property‘s Global Trademark Forum takes place this Wednesday,  April 14, 2021.

The all-day virtual event has approximately 200 attendees on average, from in-house trademark counsel, to law firms, and IP and brand protection vendors.  This year’s event focuses on brand management and protection strategies, including online enforcement issues.   Sessions include:

1.  Evolving…

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AI-powered brand protection solution for trademark attorneys and teams

We recently spoke with Jeff Baher, Head of Product Marketing, Bolster, Inc., about digital brand protection.

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U.S. Trademark law update at American Intellectual Property Law Association Spring event

The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) is holding its 2021 Annual Spring Meeting virtually on May 10 thru 14, 2021.  The focus is on master classes designed to enhance various IP practice skills.

The Program Agenda may be found here.

Topics…

New U.S. trademark opposition and cancellation laws will be effective December 27, 2021.

Practitioners should take note of new laws that will effect U.S. trademark opposition and trademark cancellation proceedings at the end of this year.

I.   Summary

The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and will

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Become a contributor to our new global trademark and brand protection publication

Welcome to The Trademark Interview.   

TTI is a digital publication and podcast that provides practical insight and commentary from today’s IP leaders on the following subjects:

  • International trademark & brand protection rules and best practices;
  • Contested proceeding strategies, including oppositions, cancellations, and expungements;

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