The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced a new awards program to acknowledge brands that use their influence to address humanitarian and environmental challenges.
The Trademarks for Humanity program will be accepting applications from entities holding an active U.S. trademark registration and using those trademarks to provide products, services or business practices to improve the environment; a recent USPTO press release said. Winners will be honored by the USPTO director at a public awards ceremony and will also be featured on the USPTO’s website.
“Climate change poses a tremendous threat, and it will take creativity and energy from both the public and private sector to overcome that threat,” Gina Raimondo, secretary of Commerce, said in the press release. “At the Department of Commerce, we’re encouraging businesses to develop products and services that protect our communities and our country from the impacts of climate change. The new Trademarks for Humanity awards competition will shine a light on the brand owners who are responding to this generational challenge by making meaningful contributions toward a cleaner and healthier environment.”
The deadline for applications is July 14 or until 200 applications have been received, whichever occurs first.
“Every day, people across our great country and the world are working to counter the impacts of pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, climate change, and many other environmental challenges,” Kathi Vidal, under secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and director of the USPTO, said in the press release. “I encourage brand owners—of all types, organizational structures, business sectors, geographic areas, and demographic backgrounds—to apply for this award and bring recognition and inspiration to those who are using their trademarks to help make the world a safer and cleaner place.”
More information about the Trademarks for Humanity program can be found by visiting the program's web page on the USPTO site.
