MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Ruth Nyblod or Jennifer Rankin Byrne (571) 272-8400 or ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov or jennifer.rankin_byrne@uspto.gov

June 16, 2008 #08-24

USPTO and the Computing Technology Industry Association to Educate Maryland Businesses about the Importance of Intellectual Property Protection and the Risks of Counterfeiting and Piracy Washington, D.C. – The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) will present a free educational forum on Friday, June 20, in Baltimore, Md., that will highlight the growing threats of counterfeiting and piracy, while also providing information on how businesses can protect and enforce their own intellectual property rights in the U.S. and overseas. WHAT: Free educational forum to educate businesses about protecting their intellectual property and the threats of counterfeiting and piracy. Interested participants may register on the USPTO’s website at www.uspto.gov. WHO: Featured speakers will include intellectual property experts in the areas of patent, trademark, and copyright law as well as the enforcement of intellectual property in the U.S. and abroad. WHEN: Friday, June 20, 2008 Check-in/Registration from 8:30 a.m-9:30 a.m. Program from 9:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. WHERE: Mt. Washington Conference Center 5801 Smith Avenue Baltimore, MD 21209 There is no charge to attend this event. Media who would like more information or wish to RSVP for the event should email Jennifer.Rankin_Byrne@uspto.gov or call 571-272-8400. Information on the USPTO’s efforts to educate small businesses about intellectual property theft can be found at www.stopfakes.gov/smallbusiness. ###