When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Taras Kulbaba—a Ukrainian-born IP attorney living in Brussels—could not sit idly by. He gathered resources from his friends and colleagues, purchased first-aid and medical supplies, and personally drove the kits over a thousand miles to the Ukrainian border. Kulbaba posted about his actions on LinkedIn, and was overwhelmed with not just likes, but pledges of support.
Members of the IP community—including IP business development coach Phil Cox and IP attorney Jackie Stelling—not only contributed but even offered to do more. Cox, Stelling, and Kulbaba joined together with Twill Creative’s Alexis Winslow and Alt Legal’s Bri Van Til to form Brand Action for Ukraine, a group dedicated to bringing IP professionals together to aid Ukraine.
The Brand Action website states a powerful message, “Our worldwide trademark community is distinguished by its sense of camaraderie, international perspective, reliance on partners in other nations to drive our businesses, and far-reaching friendships that span the globe. As an industry of educated and privileged professionals committed to international partnership, we are called upon to help our friends when their peace, stability, and sovereignty are threatened.”
Brand Action for Ukraine will host a fundraiser during the International Trademark Association (INTA) annual meeting later this month in Washington, DC. With a minimum donation of $95 to World Central Kitchen individuals will receive a free ticket to attend the event.
The team reviewed dozens of charities before selecting two beneficiaries: World Central Kitchen, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to sending food to the frontlines of natural and humanitarian disaster areas, including Ukraine and Support Hospitals in Ukraine, a supporter charity to 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Project C.U.R.E, providing first aid and medical supplies to hospitals and frontline medics in Ukraine.
Sponsorships for the event are still available. Current sponsors for Brand Action for Ukraine include, Caribbean IP, Thompson Coburn LLP, Ware Fressola Maguire & Barber LLP, and BlankRome, with World Trademark Review, ManagingIP and The Trademark Lawyer providing media coverage. Sponsor’ contributions will go to Support Hospitals in Ukraine.
For more information about sponsoring or attending the event, please visit Brand Action’s website.
