SB2173: Trademark Licensing Protection Act of 2023
- 1Introduced (current step)
- 2Passed One Chamber
- 3Passed Both Chambers
- 4Became Law
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Bill information
Summary
A bill to amend the Trademark Act of 1946 to provide that the licensing of a mark for use by a related company may not be construed as establishing an employment relationship between the owner of the mark, or an authorizing person, and either that related company or the employees of that related company, and for other purposes.
Plain-language summary
This bill amends federal trademark law to clarify that when a company lets a related company use its trademark through a license agreement, no employment relationship is created. The bill protects trademark owners from legal claims that licensing creates employer-employee relationships. Trademark licensing is the practice of allowing another business to use a brand name under agreed conditions. The bill was introduced in 2023 and is currently awaiting review.
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SB2173: Trademark Licensing Protection Act of 2023
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Sponsors
Angus King
Primary SponsorCo-sponsors (7)
James Lankford
Joe Manchin
Mike Braun
Kyrsten Sinema
Thom Tillis