Protecting your association's good name.(LEGAL) From: Association Management | Date: May 1, 2005| Author: Jacobs, Jerald A. | COPYRIGHT 2005 American Society of Association Executives. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

One of an association's most valuable assets is its name--the singular tag or label that distinguishes its programs and services from those offered by any other entity, whether nonprofit or commercial. Fortunately, laws are in place to protect an association's name and related trademarks or service marks from being appropriated and used by others without permission. In this column, Caroline Smith explains the basics of trademark protection for association names.

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