“We typically won’t go after them unless our associate in [the specific] country specifically says that if we don’t...it will dilute our trademark rights,” Calixto says.

When lawsuits do occur, they can be expensive. Some cost upwards of a $100,000 in the United Sates, though lawsuits in foreign countries cost considerably less.

FUTURE BUSINESS

Though Calixto has not always been chasing trademark violators, he has had a long relationship with the University. After graduating from Florida International University, he received two masters degrees, one from the Harvard Divinity School and one from the Harvard Extension School.

A Cuban native, Calixto joined the Harvard Trademark Program in the mid-1990s as assistant to the director and in 1997, was promoted to the directorship.

“I really love my job,” Calixto says, noting that he finds his line of work exciting and stimulating.

During his years in the trademark office, Calixto says he has seen a constant volume of trademark violations despite his watchdog eyes.

“Like a restaurant, not everybody goes all the time but its never empty. Cases just show up,” Calixto says.

However, he added that “the aggressive stance the university has been taking worldwide to prevent the unauthorized use of the Harvard name, especially in the area of education, has significantly strengthened the University’s rights.”

The Harvard Trademark Program will expand its four-person staff when it moves to its new office July 1.