Trademarks and Copyrights

Brand Strategy and Portfolio Development

Developed and managed global trademark portfolios for companies across technology, consumer products, life sciences, and media industries, supporting brand expansion in the United States and internationally.

• Advised clients on trademark selection, clearance, and portfolio strategy, including global brand launches and multi-jurisdictional protection programs.
• Managed worldwide trademark portfolios comprising hundreds of registrations protecting pharmaceutical, consumer, and technology brands.

Registration and Global Portfolio Management

• Prosecuted and secured trademark registrations across the United States and internationally, including complex Office Action responses and registrability challenges.
• Represented clients in trademark prosecution and portfolio management strategies supporting global brand expansion across multiple jurisdictions.
• Obtained and maintained trademark and copyright protection for clients across industries, including software, medical devices, consumer goods, and entertainment.

Brand Enforcement and Online Protection

• Represented global technology and consumer brands in large-scale online enforcement initiatives, including domain name recovery actions and coordinated takedown strategies across digital platforms.
• Resolved more than 150 domain name disputes through negotiated resolutions and ICANN UDRP proceedings, securing domain transfers and monetary recoveries.
• Advised clients on enforcement strategies involving e-commerce platforms, counterfeit listings, and unauthorized use of brand assets.

Anti-Counterfeiting and Global Brand Protection

• Developed and implemented global anti-counterfeiting programs, including coordination with customs authorities, law enforcement, and international partners to identify and stop infringing goods.
• Coordinated cross-border enforcement efforts, including market monitoring, product seizures, and enforcement actions in multiple jurisdictions.
• Advised clients on proactive brand monitoring strategies, including trademark watch services and customs recordation programs to prevent infringement before it occurs.

Licensing, Commercialization, and Transactions

Negotiated trademark and copyright licensing, sponsorship, and endorsement agreements for technology, media, and consumer brands.

• Provided intellectual property due diligence and transactional support in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate rebranding initiatives.
• Structured and negotiated agreements supporting global brand commercialization, partnerships, and marketing initiatives.

Disputes and Strategic Resolution

• Successfully prosecuted registration of the “Dykes on Bikes” trademark through multiple proceedings, including two appearances before the U.S. Supreme Court, resulting in landmark trademark decisions.
• Defended Sony Computer Entertainment America in a high-profile copyright infringement case involving the God of War video game, securing summary judgment and affirmance on appeal.
• Represented clients in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings, including oppositions and cancellations, through final decision.
• Achieved favorable outcomes in trademark and copyright disputes through pre-litigation strategy, negotiated resolutions, and coordinated enforcement efforts.

When should a company start protecting its brand and content?

Companies should begin protecting their brand and content as early as possible, ideally before launching products or marketing publicly. Early planning helps avoid conflicts, secure stronger rights, and position the company for growth, investment, and expansion into new markets.

What types of intellectual property should we be thinking about for our brand?

Most companies have a combination of trademark, copyright, and sometimes design-related rights. Trademarks protect names, logos, and brand identifiers, while copyrights protect original content such as images, videos, and written materials. We help clients identify which assets are most valuable and develop a coordinated strategy to protect them.

How do you determine what is worth protecting?

Not every brand element or piece of content needs formal protection. We focus on the assets that drive recognition, differentiation, and revenue, including core brand names, product branding, and high-value content used in marketing and digital platforms. The goal is to prioritize protection where it creates the most business value.

How should brand protection strategy evolve as a company grows?

As companies expand, brand protection typically evolves from basic registration to more active portfolio management and enforcement. This includes expanding protection into new markets, monitoring for infringement, and integrating intellectual property into licensing, partnerships, and transactions.

How do you manage global trademark portfolios?

We manage global portfolios by coordinating filings, maintenance, and enforcement across jurisdictions, working closely with foreign counsel and in-house teams. Our approach focuses on consistency, efficiency, and aligning global protection with the company’s commercial priorities and expansion plans.

What should we do if we discover infringement or counterfeit products?

The first step is to assess the scope of your rights and gather evidence of the infringement. From there, we help clients evaluate options, which may include online takedowns, domain name proceedings, cease-and-desist letters, or more formal legal action. The goal is to respond quickly and effectively while aligning with business objectives.

How do you handle online infringement and counterfeit activity?

We help clients implement enforcement strategies across digital platforms, including e-commerce marketplaces and social media. This includes takedown programs, domain name disputes, and coordinated enforcement efforts designed to address infringement efficiently and at scale.

How do trademarks and copyrights factor into licensing and transactions?

Trademark and copyright assets are often central to licensing agreements, brand collaborations, and corporate transactions. We work with clients to structure these rights so they are clearly defined, transferable, and aligned with business goals, which is critical for partnerships, financings, and acquisitions.

How do you approach cost control and efficiency in brand protection?

We focus on prioritization, proactive planning, and efficient execution. This includes targeting protection in key markets, using monitoring tools to identify issues early, and tailoring enforcement strategies to the level of risk. Our goal is to protect critical assets without unnecessary cost or complexity.

When should a company consider changing or expanding brand protection counsel?

Companies often revisit their approach as their brand grows, enters new markets, or faces increasing enforcement challenges. This is especially true for companies expanding globally or managing larger portfolios, where a more integrated and proactive approach can improve efficiency and results.