Iowa Executive Council moves to trademark Iowa Health Link logo

DES MOINES - The Iowa Executive Council voted 4-0 on Monday to retain special legal counsel to represent the state Department of Human Services in obtaining a trademark for the Iowa Health Link logo being used in connection with state's privatized Medicaid program.

Jeffrey Thompson, solicitor general in the Iowa Attorney General's Office, told the council it is important for the DHS to have control over the name to prevent member and provider confusion.

'You don't want anyone using your logo as an endorsement without having an opportunity to review its use,” said DHS spokeswoman Amy McCoy, who noted there has been no trademark filing yet.

'This is a normal process to work to protect the logo. It can take about nine months before we hear back once filed,” she said.

Thompson recommended the council approve Des Moines lawyer Brett Trout who specializes in intellectual property law.

The council approved the estimated $1,400 cost to prepare the trademark application and to pay Trout an hourly rate of $390 to handle the trademark issue.