LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: The Trademark Modernization Act: What Does it Do and Why Should Brand Professionals Care?

On December 27, 2020, the Trademark Modernization Act (TMA) was signed into law as part of a COVID-19 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 6196). The TMA seeks to improve the accuracy and integrity of the Federal Trademark Register by making significant changes to the way in which registrations may be cancelled and by formally recognizing certain registration procedures. This legislative update for the Brand Protection Professional (BPP), a quarterly publication of Michigan State University’s (MSU) Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP), concisely explains what the TMA does and what it means for brand professionals.