Trademarks are a ubiquitous part of modern life. You can probably see a dozen or more from where you are sitting right now. Indeed, the EFF logo at the top of your screen is a registered trademark.

When it works well, trademark law protects businesses and consumers. Businesses get protection against competitors who would sell knock-off goods. Consumers get the benefit of knowing who stands behind the goods and services they buy. But trademarks can also be abused. Companies sometimes use trademark law to silence critics. And companies have tried to leverage trademarks as a way to get overbroad Internet filtering orders.

EFF has represented the Yes Men and other activists that have faced trademark-based attempts to silence them. We have also filed amicus briefs in cases where trademark claims threatened free speech. We work to ensure that trademark law serves consumer protection, rather than as a barrier to free expression.