Expertise

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• Served as chief trademark counsel of The Walt Disney Company, managing the company's worldwide trademark portfolio. Handled intellectual property issues related to consumer products, motion pictures, television, musicals, video, theme parks, sports teams, restaurants, cruise lines, apparel, toys, collectibles, and retail stores. Conducted due diligence and handled intellectual property issues associated with purchase of baseball team now known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Served as Disney's representative to the Motion Pictures Associate of America. 

• Successfully protected the Rolling Stones and the famous series of tongue logos.

• Successfully developed merchandising programs for entertainers and sports figures. 

• Successful domain name recovery and take-down of infringing website put up by cybersquatter using well-known celebrity's name during time period when celebrity was launching a clothing line. 

• IP counsel to Legacy Interactive and Legacy Games, a producer of online games for popular television shows.

• Handled worldwide clearance and successful acquisition of IP and rights of publicity of living and deceased actresses for French production companies, Renn and Pathe Productions.

• Cultivated prominent entertainment industry client list that includes prominent Australian children's musical entertainment group, "The Wiggles"; leading U.S. newspaper columnist, Phillips-Van Buren ("Dear Abby"); actress Kelly LeBrock; artists Charles Bragg and Thomas Kinkade; Muhammad Ali; Brandy; Pearl Jam; Ozomatli; Roseanne Barr; Robert DeNiro's company, Tribeca; Jane Seymour; Wayne Gretzky; well-known film and television production companies; and technology, gaming, and promotions companies that serve the entertainment and food industries. 

• Represented founders/CEOs of famous semiconductor company in the wireless and broadband communication business in due diligence concerning potential acquisitons of sports teams. 

• Successful acquisition and transfer of key IP for famous racing yacht to new owner. Advised on right of publicity issues for crew and use of names, images, and personas, in proposed reality TV show. 

• Successfully protected and managed trademarks for 1960s revived psychedelic rock group The Electric Prunes. 

• IP counsel to City of West Hollywood marketing and promotions. 

• Successfully defended jewelry manufacturer in copyright infringement actions and obtained dismissals. Protected IP and handled copyright ownership agreements.

• Successfully represented a major North Carolina textile company in a multimillion-dollar acquisition and licensing of an apparel manufacturer's trademarks.

• Successfully developed, managed, and enforced the global trademark portfolio for a major footwear company.

• Developed a successful copyright enforcement program for a leading producer of fabric designs and lead counsel in obtaining a seven-figure settlement in copyright infringement litigation. 

• Successfully developed and handled trademark and copyright portfolio and transactions for a major denim company. Handled successful acquisitions of key IP.

• Successfully defended a watch manufacturer in trademark infringement action and obtained dismissal.

• Successfully protected and enforced trademarks and copyrights for fashion blog and merchandise.

• Successfully developed and enforced trademark portfolio for cosmetics company.

• IP counsel to company that licenses brands and images on apparel and other merchandise. 

• Trademark counsel to joint venture in pharmaceutical industry to expedite successful global rollout of new anti-HIV drug. Conducted worldwide clearance and handled protection in nearly 200 jurisdictions worldwide. 

• Successfully developed policies and strategies on trademark usage, domain names, and internet and website issues for pharmaceutical and chemical companies. 

• Obtained entry of judgment for client against an infringer of client's house mark in the chemical industry on a motion for sanctions before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in the U.S. Trademark Office. 

• Successful trademark enforcement for chemical manufacturer in several proceedings against infringers in the EU, France, China, Turkey, Taiwan, Spain, and Australia. 

• Handled successful UDRP proceedings and take-down of websites infringing pharmaceutical company's house mark. 

• Protected IP and developed successful trademark enforcement program for popular restaurant chain in California

• Represented food manufacturer in ready-to-eat license and distribution programs. Assisted in co-branding between the client and a famous alcoholic beverage manufacturer.

• Represented an international food company and served as lead counsel in a successful federal court trademark infringement action to recover trademark rights fraudulently obtained by a competitor. 

• Developed and managed brands and trademark portfolios for major real estate development and resort in Las Vegas.

• Represented buyer of well-known coffee brand in successful multimillion-dollar acquisition, managing global trademark portfolio, and enforcing rights.

• Developing and protecting IP portfolio for internet/social media start-up company and mobile applications in the area of food and plating.

• Successfully developed, protected, and managed IP portfolio for champagne and alcoholic beverage labels.

• Successfully developed copyright policies for healthcare organization for use of material to be shared through online portal. 

• Successfully developed and protected trademarks for county hospital system software, mobile applications, and electronic records and patient information through online portal.

• Successful development and preparation of agreements for research and collaboration/IP ownership and revenue sharing for large healthcare system of hospitals.

• Successfully protected and enforced trademark portfolio for major company in the automotive industry. 

• Successfully developed and handled trademark, copyright, and licensing program for major aircraft company. 

• Lead counsel in successful trademark litigation in federal district court against companies infringing client's trademarks in the construction industry. Obtained favorable settlements, permanent injunctions, judgment, and attorneys' fees. 

• Successfully represented major U.S. furniture manufacturer in proceedings before the USPTO's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 

• Successfully represented an international conglomerate in electronics industry in obtaining preliminary injuctions against trademark infringers. 

• Defended energy client in U.S. opposition to obtain favorable settlement for client and dismissal of claims of likelihood of confusion and trademark infringement.