Sarah L. Bruno

Bruno’s work for the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions requires her to visit three global trade shows annually.

She advises the organization and its members on intellectual property issues. She also educates members on the benefits of IP protection and gives strategic guidance on protection and enforcement of new rides and attractions.

“The IP issues in that are really fun,” Bruno said. One of the trade shows takes place in Orlando, Florida.

“A lot of what the ride manufacturers make is functional,” Bruno said of the Orlando trade show. “It’s where they display their new hot ride.”

While there, Bruno mediates any disputes that arise on the exhibition and show floors. She typically mediates about 50 matters annually between members claiming IP rights worldwide.

If a roller coaster manufacturer on the trade show floor has a patented a particular ride component or trademarked the name of a ride, “and another party is using the same trademark or has a concept that they’re worried is infringing on the patent,” Bruno meets with both parties — on site — to talk through the issues.

Bruno said she enjoys her work with the trade shows and other businesses.

Her clients include American Honda Motor Co., Benefit Cosmetics LLC, San Diego State University, and LG Electronics Inc.

Bruno also represents the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, and its aftermarket division — the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association — in its IP enforcement efforts internally, within its membership and at its major trade show.

She has spent over a decade running the IP program at the trade show, which hosts over 2,000 automotive manufacturers.

While there, she manages disputes on the show floor and conducts educational seminars and outreach to the attendees.

Outside of the trade show, Bruno advises the membership on protection strategies for their products, technology, platforms and catalogs.

She also prepared written comments to the Copyright Office addressing recent proposals for new exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Her comments ultimately obtained an exemption last year that was beneficial to the aftermarket repair industry and deemed a victory.

Bruno said companies that have not protected their intellectual property in the past are doing so more frequently. She attributes the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions for this rise.

“So as a result of that association, [which] offers educational and mediation services on their show floor, now all those members are starting to file applications to protect their works,” Bruno said.

They’re “getting applications in copyright, trademark or patents registered which is enabling them to develop a catalog of protectable rights and enforce those rights around the globe,” she added.

— Skylar Dubelko