"Tip, Crayola® Crayons costumed character will be one of 25 characters with trademark significance appearing at this year’s Trademark Expo.".

National Trademark Expo opens at USPTO Tomorrow

This year’s National Trademark Expo will be a lot of fun, but there will be a serious side as well. The overall goal of the Expo is to educate the public about the vital role trademarks play in the global economy. With this in mind, the 2009 Expo will offer enhanced educational workshops for both adults and children.

There will be three seminars for adults that will cover “Anti-counterfeiting;” “Trademarks 101,” that is, basic information about trademark law and Intellectual Property; and “What Every Small Business Must Know About Intellectual Property.” Each seminar will run 30 minutes. They will be offered twice a day starting at 11 a.m.

The children will be able to enjoy story time provided by the local Alexandria business Hooray for Books!. Children will hear stories about some of their favorite trademark characters who may just stop by during the reading!

In addition to the educational activities, this year’s Expo will feature a record setting 25 costumed characters. The roster of characters includes Curious George, Smokey Bear, McGruff, the Energizer Bunny, Pillsbury Doughboy, Popeye, and Peter Rabbit. The opening for the Expo will be held in front of the Madison Building at 10 a.m. on Friday May 8. The Air Force Band Quintet will provide entertainment.

The United States Air Force Band’s brass quintet will join 16 exhibitors and a cast of 25 costumed characters for the gala opening of the 2009 National Trademark Expo. The event will take place on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the USPTO’s campus at 600 Dulany Street in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the ceremony, the Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. No admission is charged and free parking is available on Saturday.

The Air Force will display their federally registered Air Force symbol, the official emblem of the U.S. Air Force, as well as three other important trademarks -- the Air Force Coat of Arms, the Air Force Thunderbirds Emblem, and the "Hap Arnold", which is also known as the Army Air Corps Symbol." Since its formation in 1941, the United States Air Force Band has played superb music for music lovers around the globe, earning its reputation as “America's International Musical Ambassadors.”

>> Click here for the complete list of exhibitors.

This year’s collection of costumed trademark characters is the largest in the history of the Expo. Included are some costumes that rarely make appearances outside their home venues. The all star cast, in alphabetical order, includes: Beetle Bailey, Betty Boop, Crayola Crayons, Curious George, Dennis the Menace, Energizer Bunny, Faux Paw the Techno Cat, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey Bar, Maisy, McGruff, Mr. Jelly Belly, Olive Oyl, Peter Rabbit, Pillsbury Doughboy, Popeye, Smokey Bear, Sprout, the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch. Their host for the two days will be the USPTO’s own character, T.Markey. All characters will be on stage for the opening and will appear periodically throughout the two day Expo.

The National Trademark Expo is designed to educate the public about the vital role trademarks play in our economy, No admission is charged. The Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free parking will be available on Saturday.

>> Trademark Expo Photo Gallery

Trademark Legend: The Pillsbury Doughboy, Poppin' Fresh, Jolly Green Giant and Sprout are registered trademarks of General Mills, Inc.; The Cat in the Hat and The Grinch are registered trademarks of Dr. Seuss Enterprises; Maisy is a registered trademark of Walker Books Limited; Curious George is a registered trademark of Houghton Mifflin; Peter Rabbit is a registered trademark of Frederick Warne & Company, Inc.; Energizer Bunny is a registered trademark of Eveready Battery Company, Inc.; Jelly Belly is a registered trademark of the Jelly Belly Candy Company, The wavy lines on the top of the Crayola "Tip" Crayon costume is a registered trademark of Crayola Properties, Inc.; Faux Paw the Techno Cat is a registered trademark of Keeper of the Flame Foundation; Hershey's Kisses and Hershey Bar are registered trademarks of Hershey Chocolate and Confectionery Company; McGruff is a registered trademark of the National Crime Prevention Council, Inc.; Popeye, Olive Oyl, Betty Boop, Beetle Bailey and Dennis the Menace are registered trademarks of Hearst Corporation.