Chair
Dan Hise
Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens and Cannada, PLLC
The Trademark Laws Study Group was formed in May 2008 to review Mississippi’s trademark laws and recommend changes to make those laws more business-friendly. In addition, Group members were asked for their input on whether changes should be made to the State’s other intellectual property laws in order to attract business to Mississippi.
After meeting throughout the Summer of 2008, the Study Group recommended that the Mississippi Legislature adopt the 2007 revision of the International Trademark Association’s Model State Trademark Bill (the “2007 MSTB”). In the Group’s opinion, adopting the 2007 MSTB will conform Mississippi’s trademark laws with current federal law – primarily in the realm of trademark dilution – and will benefit trademark holders by providing uniformity between state and federal law.
For the full report of the Study Group, and for the agenda and materials distributed to the Group at each meeting, visit the links below.
Update: Legislation implementing the Trademark Laws Study Group’s suggestions was signed by Governor Barbour on March 18, 2009, and became effective on July 1, 2009. Click here for a copy of the Revised Trademark Act.