International Trademark Conference in Dallas Highlights Importance of Intellectual Property in Today's Global Marketplace

DALLAS, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Internet provides a global marketplace for companies of all sizes, the need to protect business identity and brand image is more important – and more challenging – than ever, according to guests on the KRLD 1080 AM "Pulse of the City" radio show, sponsored by the Dallas law firm Munck Wilson Mandala.

In conjunction with the International Trademark Association's annual convention in Dallas, the May 5 "Pulse of the City" broadcast was devoted to discussing trademark and intellectual property trends in the evolving business climate. The convention attracted more than 9,000 intellectual property attorneys and business leaders from around the world.

Regardless of size or sector, a company's brand has become critically important, according to Mei-lan Stark, vice president of the International Trademark Association.

"Brands are one of the most effective communication tools ever invented," said Ms. Stark, Fox Entertainment Group's senior vice president for intellectual property. "When you hear a brand name like FOX, Disney, Coca-Cola, you know immediately what you're going to get as a consumer, and you have a whole set of expectations that are communicated to you in terms of product quality."

Intellectual property lawyer William Munck of Dallas-based Munck Wilson Mandala agreed, adding that companies must be vigilant to ensure that a trademark is not being used in a way that is inconsistent with its business goals.

"Most brick and mortar businesses are also operating on the Internet," he said. "Because of that, they have a regional, national and sometimes international presence."

Charlie Morrison, president and CEO of Wingstop, agreed. Protecting the Dallas-based company's brand identity is a top concern as it executes significant worldwide expansion.

"It's an ongoing, everyday event for us to look for areas of risk and make sure that we're protecting our brands and trademarks appropriately," Mr. Morrison said.

"Pulse of the City" is a weekly roundtable radio program devoted to current events with a special focus on issues and opportunities associated with North Texas and Downtown Dallas. Moderated by CBS/KRLD assistant news director Matt Thomas joined by John Crawford, President and CEO, Downtown Dallas, Inc., the weekly KRLD 1080 AM program is broadcast Sundays at 9 a.m. and can be heard on demand at http://www.munckwilson.com/media-center/pulse-of-the-city or http://dfw.cbslocal.com/category/watch-listen/pulse-of-the-city/.

Munck Wilson Mandala is a technology-focused law firm with offices in Dallas and Marshall, Texas, with an emphasis on patent, trade secret and other intellectual property disputes. The firm offers full-service counsel in the areas of intellectual property litigation, complex commercial litigation, intellectual property portfolio development, corporate transactions and securities, and employment law. Munck Wilson Mandala represents clients from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies. Learn more about the firm at http://www.munckwilson.com.

For more information, please contact Robert Tharp at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE Munck Wilson Mandala