Alt Legal Connect PreviewAn Interview with Panelist Kimra Major-Morris
Alt Legal Team | June 30, 2021
Alt Legal is looking forward to hosting its second annual virtual trademark conference, Alt Legal Connect, on September 13-15, 2021. One of the sessions in our amazing lineup is “IP Matters: Practical ways that IP lawyers can advance social justice” featuring panelist Kimra Major-Morris. Kimra joined us ahead of the conference to give us a preview of what she and her co-panelists will be discussing, explain why her session is so important, and tell us what she’s most excited about at Alt Legal Connect. Check out the video interview or read what she had to say below.
Tell me about your session and what you’ll be talking about.
I’m going to be talking about how IP practitioners can advance social justice. It’s something that people don’t automatically see the connection with, but that’s one of the reasons why I’m so excited.
What is most exciting about your session topic?
I think right now a lot of people feel a sense of helplessness especially in this space because we tend to think if you’re not a civil rights attorney, “Well, what can I do?” I hear that a lot. But we can actually do that a lot. That’s one of the things I’m most excited about is turning the light on for IP practitioners about the different things we can do for our clients as well as for the creatives who are contributing to this space.
What is the most important skill or piece of knowledge people will get from your session?
I think empathy towards victims’ rights and victims’ families. A lot of times it’s simple – you just put yourself in the place of others. When we think about social justice, a lot of times there are families grieving from senseless violence. We have to think – what would we think if our child was on all this merchandise and we had no control over it? So on top of mourning, you’re thinking about all these other things. I think one of the first things that is necessary is empathy – put yourself in the place of these families and then look at the IP issues going on.
What is the most important information you learned about practicing in this specific area representing the IP interests in the social justice movement?
One of the things I noticed in the beginning is that there’s a lot of confusion. This is really common – so it makes sense as to why people don’t get the IP structure in place. IP is one of the last things you think about in these circumstances. Almost like at a wedding, one of the last things people are thinking about is the videographer – how can I capture this amazing event? Well, if you’re grieving, one of the last things you’re going to be thinking about is preserving the legacy in a way that has to do with registrations. It’s not a popular thing to talk about at that time, and I’ve realized that’s one of the reasons why it’s not done more quickly in these situations.
What are you most looking forward to at Alt Legal Connect this year?
I always like the connection with other IP practitioners just to understand where people are and what they’re doing. You never know when you’re going to have an opportunity to collaborate with someone. For informational purposes, I really am excited about the global IP protection session, Traversing the Universe of Global Trademark Protection. I have a lot of clients who are global brands. You can always learn something, but that’s the one that’s right on point for me right now!