FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 12, 2009

CONTACT:
Ken Lundberg (202) 228-5957
Jessica Garcia (202) 228-5113

U.S. Trademark Protections Reintroduced in Senate

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) this week encouraged colleagues
to help U.S. companies protect trademarks registered in Cuba. The Cuban Trademark
Protection Act, which Martinez introduced as an original co-sponsor, seeks to safeguard
these U.S. trademarks and their legitimate owners from the effects in the U.S. of
confiscations by the Cuban government, while at the same time bringing the United
States into technical compliance with World Trade Organization regulations.

“This will continue to provide a level of statutory protection to the holders of wrongfully
taken trademarks,” Martinez said. “Not only did many Cubans leave behind family and
belongings when they were forced to flee their homeland, they also had intellectual
property stolen. This ensures that the rightful owners of U.S. trademarks are protected
and that Cuba cannot profit from these names in the U.S.”

When the Castro regime seized power in Cuba, it confiscated private property and other
assets belonging to both the Cuban people and foreign investors. The Cuban government
also stole intellectual property, including trademarks. The Cuban Trademark Protection
Act re-asserts protection in the U.S. for the rightful owners of confiscated Cuban
trademarks. It will apply to all people, regardless of nationality, and will clarify that
trademarks and trade names confiscated by the Cuban government will not be recognized
or enforced in the United States without consent of the original owner.