Cheryl L. Black, Esq.

Ms. Black brings tremendous experience in Trademark Law to the Intellectual Property Practice Group of Goodman Allen & Filetti, PLLC following a stellar 15- year career with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Ms. Black has a unique and in-depth understanding of the critical process involved in accurately analyzing, preparing, filing and prosecuting trademark applications and post registration documents from her years as a trademark examining attorney. As a Staff Attorney for the Trademark Commissioner, she not only participated in multiple revisions and additions to the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure, but played an integral role in writing the model federal rules interpreting the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement (Madrid Protocol) and ensuring its successful implementation in the United States. Prior to joining Goodman Allen & Filetti, while in private practice, Ms. Black developed a passion for educating and advising faith-based organizations in their understanding of the importance and complexity of Intellectual Property in both the creation and utilization of copyrighted works. She also counsels business owners on clearance, prosecution and enforcement rights, and advises writers on copyright registration, fair use and publishing agreements. In addition, Ms. Black is a frequent lecturer on trademark and copyright issues as well as in the area of social media law.

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Education

• Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C., J.D., 1990
• Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y., B.S. in Mass Communications Management, 1987

Admitted To Practice

• Commonwealth of Virginia (2008)
• District of Columbia (1993)
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1990)
• Canadian Trade-mark Office (2009)

Professional Affiliations, Awards and Service

• Exceptional Career Award, 2006, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA
• Bronze Medal Award, 2000, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA
• American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
  • USPTO Inter Partes Committee Vice-Chair, 2010-
• District of Columbia Bar, Intellectual Property Section
• National Bar Association
• International Trademark Association
• Greater Richmond Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Vice-President/Treasurer 2010-
  • Recording Secretary, 2009-2010
• Virginia Bar Association
  • Intellectual Property and Information Technology Section, Council Member, 2009-
  • Law Practice Management Division
    • Executive Committee Member, 2011-
    • Council Member, 2010-

Publications, Articles and Presentations

• “Copyright Ownership Integrity: Who Owns The Work, How To Protect It and What Constitutes Fair Use,” Hampton University Ministers’ Conference, Hampton, Virginia, July 6-11, 2010

• “Copyright Law and Music Ministry,” CLE Panelist, National Bar Association’s 1st Annual Law and Religion Conference: “The Church and the Law. Practical Considerations for Church Leaders and Church Lawyers,” Columbia, Maryland, April 30- May 1, 2010.

• “Fraud in Trademark Cases: Impact of Federal Circuits New Standard: A Panel Discussion,” (with Kristin H. Altoff, Esq. and the Honorable Gerard F. Rogers) CLE, D.C. Bar Washington, D.C., March 8, 2010.

• Cheryl L. Black, “Court Relief is Not Enough: Diligent Trademark Management is the Best Defense Against Fraud Attacks,” Defensively Speaking, (Feb. 12, 2010) (Online: International Society of Primerus Law Firms, Feb. 2010), Feb. 20 2010.

• “Practical Aspects of Social Media Marketing,” CLE Panelist, Virginia Bar Association Annual Winter Meeting, Williamsburg, Virginia, January 23, 2010.

• “Copyright: What Every Inventor Wants to Know,” USPTO 14th Annual Inventors Conference, Washington, D.C., November 5 and 6, 2009.

• Trademark and Copyright Tips for Business Owners, Financial V.I.T.A.L. Signs radio program with Ernest Burley, August 30, 2009.

• “Copyright Law: What a Writer Needs to Know,” A Break from the Norm; Blog interview with Sharon Ball, June 5, 2009.

• Virginia Bar Association “IP Career Roundtable,” Washington and Lee University, March 24, 2009.

• “Tales from the Trademark Office,” University of Richmond School of Law Lunchtime Lectures, October 2, 2008.

• “Practical Review and Update to Madrid Protocol,” District of Columbia Bar CLE course, January 13, 2005.

• “Basic Facts About Patents and Trademarks,” Blacks in Government 21st Annual Training Conference, August 16-20, 1999.

• “PTO Speaks on Trademarks,” (Topic: Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act) District of Columbia Bar, Intellectual Property Law Section Seminar, April 27, 1999.

Practicing: Intellectual Property, Trademarks, Other Intellectual Property