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    Certification Marks, Test Questions, Intellectual Property:
    Frank Discussion About Everything That Generates
    Credibility and Cash Flow for Certification

    Certification Networking Group Quarterly Meeting
    Thursday, October 13, 2011
    CNG Chicago

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    Do you think you have all of your property accounted for? Many of us in the credentialing world know where our physical assets are located and have a sense of how insurance will take care of any loss. However, we lose track of the intellectual property we own because you can’t see it, touch it or put a “property of…” sticker on it. When we think about this issue we often don’t know what to do to protect those assets.

    This session will give you both the broad overview you need to understand how to protect your intellectual property and key steps in the process. In the world of certification there is even more distinction that is critical. “Certification marks” are not the same as trademarks. Do you know the difference? Examinations must be kept secure so how do you register them and not have to reveal them to the public?

    Get the answers at this session. We will help you plan for how to move forward in protecting your rights and your assets. After all, you’ve invested huge amounts of time and money into your intellectual property. Shouldn’t you protect that investment?

    Melissa will lead you through the important points of protecting your intellectual property, including:

    • Distinction between trademarks and certification marks and clearance of both.
    • Why an organization should register its marks and strategies for registering certification marks
    • The importance and process for trade marking your intellectual property
    • Special procedures for registering exams and other materials containing confidential information
    • Issues to consider for using and registering marks and copyrighted materials outside the U.S.

    About the Presenter

    Melissa A. Vallone, a partner in the Chicago office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, is a member of the Intellectual Property Department and the Associations and Foundations Practice Group. She concentrates in information technology, trademark, trade dress, unfair competition, copyright, domain name and commercial contract issues.  Her practice focuses on negotiating information technology contracts, intellectual property licensing agreements, trademark counseling, prosecuting domestic and international trademark applications, development and maintenance of trademark portfolios, and intellectual property litigation. She provides counseling in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, publishing, high tech and service industry clients, as well as not-for-profits and associations.

    As an adjunct professor at Chicago Kent School of Law, Ms. Vallone teaches a course on Strategies in Intellectual Property. She has also lectured on trademark development and management and domain name issues.  Ms. Vallone graduated from Purdue University in 1993 with a B.S. in marketing management. While at Purdue, she was vice president of the Purdue University Marketing Association. Ms. Vallone received her J.D. summa cum laude from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1996. While attending law school she was a teaching assistant for the legal writing and appellate advocacy programs. Ms.Vallone also served as executive managing editor of the Valparaiso University Law Review. For her course work and contributions at Valparaiso University, she was designated an Indiana Bar Scholar by the Indiana Bar Foundation.

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    Time: 9:30 a.m. – Noon
    Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011
    Place: O’Hare International Center Campus Auditorium,
    10275 W. Higgins Rd.,
    Chicago, IL

    Directions:The shuttle runs from the Rosemont El station to the O’Hare International Center campus. You can also take the monorail from the terminals at O’Hare to the remote parking, and then get on a shuttle bus that takes you to the O’Hare Transfer Metra Station, which is also on our campus. Or, if they drive, they can park free in the adjacent parking garage on campus.

    Webinar: If you cannot attend the meeting in person, there is the option to RSVP for the online webinar. We are working with one of our members, Jim Brinton of Certification Management Services, to bring you CNG Webinar, which will cover the program portion of our morning quarterly meeting. You need to RSVP for this webinar by clicking here.

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