Arent Fox partner Pamela Deese has been published in the latest issue of The Licensing Journal.

In her article, "Crisis Management for Trademark Licenses: Can a Licensor Minimize Its Risk?" Pam addresses the recent wave of product recalls, especially those involving products manufactured in China, the potential damage such recalls can inflict on consumer confidence in a valuable brand, and what steps trademark licensors should take to prevent similar crises in the future.

"The best guidance for any licensor and licensee relying on foreign operations anywhere in the world is to adequately plan in advance for a crisis," Pam writes. "The first opportunity to address issues of quality is in the license agreement. Each and every agreement currently in place should be reviewed to ascertain whether adequate quality controls are set forth between the parties."

Pam also advises that every strategic licensing program should be accompanied by an effective monitoring program and communications plan.

"With a commitment to quality by those operating in China, the label 'Made in China' should bear no negative connotations and potential damage to important intellectual property should be minimized," Pam concludes.

To read the complete article, please click here.

The article is reprinted from The Licensing Journal November/December 2007, Volume 27, Number 10, pages 43-44 with permission from Aspen Publishers, Inc., Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, New York, NY, 1-800-638-8437, http://www.aspenpublishers.com/