As you know, following the results of a vote of domestic growers and importers of processed raspberries, the plan to terminate the processed raspberry program was announced by USDA on November 7, 2018. As such, a Board of Trustees was appointed to wind down the activities of the National Processed Raspberry Council (Council).
The Board of Trustees is looking to assign the Council’s intellectual property assets to those who have an interest in continuing a similar processed raspberry promotion, research, and information program. Section 1208.56 and 1208.73 of the Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order provides the authority to make this type of transfer if the recipient shall be subject to the same obligations imposed upon the Council and the trustees
INTELLECUTAL PROPERTY ASSETS TO BE ASSIGNED:
- Trademarks:
- RED RASPBERRIES (and Design): USPTO Reg. No. 4844812.
- REAL. RED. RASPBERRIES (and Design): USPTO Reg. No. 5286949.
- THE TASTE YOU LOVE, THE NUTRITION YOU WANT: USPTO Reg. No. 4555474.
- REAL. RED. RASPBERRIES (and Design): WIPO Filing Ref. No. A0082489.
*Successor organization would have to explore the process and cover any costs associated with adding the Redrazz.org website to the Real.Red.Raspberries trademark coverage.
- Domain Names: redrazz.org
- Redrazz.org Website Content
*Successor organization would have to explore the process and cover any costs associated with adding the Redrazz.org website to the Real.Red.Raspberries trademark coverage.
- Social media content
*All of the social media account names and content can be transferred. However, the followers would not be eligible for a transfer. Social media follwers would be directed to follow the account on the successor organization’s new site.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Solicitation for Applications is for the Board of Trustees to solicit proposals from interested organizations to explain why they would like to receive the respective intellectual property asset and how they plan to use the asset to support a similar program for processed raspberry promotion, research, and information.
The Board of Trustees will work with USDA to review the proposals to determine which entities will receive the respective assets.
TIME FRAME
The application period will be held from June 17 – June 24, 2019. Applications must show proof of delivery by 11:59 p.m. ET (8:59 p.m. PT) on June 24. Decisions will be made after June 24.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants need to have an interest in continuing a similar processed raspberry promotion, research, and information program. Applicants must also be willing to cover the cost of transferring the assets to their organization. Members of the Board of Trustees and their relatives cannot help with application.
REQUIREMENTS
- Applications must be less than five pages long.
- This is a free transfer.
- Organizations must have an interest in continuing a similar processed raspberry promotion, research, and information program or be willing to be subject to the same obligations imposed upon the Council and the trustees.
APPLICATION SELECTION CRITERIA (Out of a possible 6 points)
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria. Winners will be those who best address these points:
- Explain your overarching strategy for using the requested intellectual property asset. (3 pts.)
- Demonstrate how this asset has been missing in your approach to conduct similar processed raspberry research, promotion, and information programs. (2 pts.)
- Explain how you will measure the value-added impact of this asset. (1 pt.)
*Each application will be reviewed separately to see how many points they get. Applications for the same asset will then be compared head to head to see which application had the highest points.
For Your Application to Count, You Must Email Your Applications to ALL of the following:
Hakim Fobia hakim.fobia@usda.gov
Rob Dhaliwal rob@samsonfarms.com
Adam Enfield adam@enfieldfarms.com
John Clark clarksberryfarm@hotmail.com
*The three trustees will be evaluating the applications. USDA will be monitoring the process.
Any questions should be directed to Hakim Fobia at: hakim.fobia@usda.gov or (202) 720-4835.
