Governor Riley Urges Alabama Businesses to Protect Their Intellectual Property From Theft Overseas

Alabama.gov, Oct 30, 2007 - Seminars to Focus on Assisting Small Businesses.

MONTGOMERY – As Alabama becomes a bigger player in the global economy, Governor Bob Riley is urging small and medium-size business owners to take steps to protect their companies from counterfeiting and piracy of their intellectual property.

Alabama’s small and medium-size exporters can get advice about protecting their inventions, brands and business methods in foreign markets at three seminars being held this month in Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile, the Governor said.

"Piracy and counterfeiting are on the rise around the world. They’re a serious threat to all American businesses, but small businesses are particularly at risk because they usually don’t have the expertise on how to combat it," Governor Riley said. "These seminars are designed to empower Alabama entrepreneurs with the knowledge to help them compete internationally and protect their intellectual property."

The seminars will feature intellectual property experts from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Department of Commerce and local attorneys.  They will present information for exporters regarding intellectual property rights and the methods that can be used to protect those rights internationally. The Alabama District Export Council, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Alabama Development Office are hosting the seminars. Supporting organizations include the North Alabama International Trade Association, the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

The seminars will take place in Huntsville on Tuesday, October 16, in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 17, and in Mobile on Thursday, October 18.

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