The operator of the social networking website Facebook announced that beginning from 13 June 2009 Facebook users are able to create personalized usernames for their Facebook pages, in the form of facebook.com/yourname. Usernames are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Before, the URLs for Facebook pages have been distinguished by randomly assigned numbers.

Trademark owners will appreciate that this may present an opportunity, but also a significant risk that unrelated persons could include marks of an owner as part of their usernames, without license or authorization.

Facebook has advised that trademark owners can report unauthorized inclusion of a trademark by submitting a form available at:

http://www.facebook.com/copyright.php?noncopyright_notice=1

Additional information is available on the FAQ page:

http://www.facebook.com/help.php?page=896

Please contact your Papula-Nevinpat trademark attorney if you would like to have assistance in protecting your trademark rights in Facebook or if you have any questions.