There are still a number of entities out there trying to trick trademark owners into spending money to list their marks in various on line and print directories by sending official looking invoices and other paperwork.  In the last month, one client received ten such solicitations, from six different entities:

• IP Direct International Patent & Trademark Directory
• Patent & Trademark Office
• Patent & Trademark Bureau
• International Catalogue of Trademarks
• TPP Trademark & Patent Publications
• GLOPAT Global Patents & Trademarks

The practice is so pervasive, that this same client also received a warning letter from the UK Intellectual Property Office, warning about “unofficial trade mark renewal services” and identifying two such agencies in particular:

• Patent and Trade Mark Agency Limited
• Trade Mark Renewal Services Limited

Not only to trademark owners have to watch out for infringers, they need to watch out for scammers as well.