INTA and National Inventors Hall of Fame launch trademarks exhibition
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) and the InternationalTrademark Association (INTA) have opened a new exhibition
demonstrating ‘the power
of trademarks’.The new interactive exhibition sponsored by the
association is designed to teach visitors about the role and importance of
trademarks, and to help them recognise authentic consumer products v counterfeit
goods.As part of the museum’s Intellectual Property Power wing,
the exhibition — “The Power of Trademarks”— opened on June 3 during a
ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring officials from INTA and the US Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO).INTA’s CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo said, “The team at the
National Inventors Hall of Fame has done a tremendous job in conveying the
power of trademarks in a recognisable and family-friendly way. The exhibition
provides an enormous opportunity to educate consumers of all ages about the
importance of trademarks in their daily lives and to highlight the growing
threat of counterfeit products.” He added, “We’re certain it will leave a lasting
impression on visitors and reinforce brands’ contributions to individuals, society
and the economy.”The exhibition highlights the importance of trademarks
and brands through interactive displays, brand artefacts and stories.
Highlights include:An overview of trademarks: explaining what they
are, including their essential role in protecting consumers and promoting
global economic growth, and showing the various types that currently exist —
logos, words, shapes, sounds, and even smells;A US map that illustrates the prevalence of
brands headquartered throughout the nation;A timeline marking how several iconic brands
have evolved over the past few decades, building loyal customers while also
attracting new audiences; andInformation about the dangers of counterfeit
products, including interactive activities that illustrate the differences
between authentic and counterfeit goods.The exhibition, which builds on a small display focused
on counterfeiting that INTA has sponsored at the NIHF since 2017, will run
through May 2021. Companies such as Microsoft, Nike and PepsiCo contributed
to the exhibition’s content.The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum is located at
the USPTO’s Madison Building in Alexandria, Virginia. Admission is free and open to the public.The exhibition “displays the
power of trademarks, the
major issues that are occurring right now with counterfeit goods and brands,
and the resultant negative effects on consumer trust and loss of jobs,” said
NIHF CEO Michael Oister. He commented, “Our goal at the National Inventors Hall of
Fame is to educate consumers to make smarter decisions and purchase innovative
products with confidence from brands they can trust.”