Trademark/False Advertising
- Assisted a multinational quick-service restaurant chain in talent negotiations for its “big game” advertising campaign.
- Advising several clients on advertising campaigns, including printed, digital, programmatic and OTA assets in the food and beverage, hospitality, and restaurant industries.
- Defending Buffalo Wild Wings and its parent Inspire Brands in a putative false advertising class action in which the plaintiff alleges he was harmed by his purchase of “boneless wings,” which are not de-boned wings but rather all white meat chicken; they have been a popular menu item for 20 years. Halim v. Buffalo Wild Wings (N.D. Illinois).
- Defended Dunkin’ Brands in trademark infringement litigation concerning its use of the phrase GREAT TASTE PLANT-BASED in connection with a breakfast sandwich. Sonate v. Dunkin’ Brands et al. (D. Mass.).
- Represented a consumer electronics product company in counterfeit product matters in multiple countries around the world.
- Represented a global beverage brand in cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board regarding the creation of a false association based on domestic use of the client’s famous international brands.
- Helped a defendant restaurant group secure a major victory in defeating the plaintiff restaurant owner’s federal trademark infringement action on summary judgment. Phelan Holdings Inc. v. RARE Hospitality Management Inc. (M.D. Fla.).
- Defended a major publisher in a cancelation proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board regarding one of its oldest trademarks.
- Represented a global hotel and resort company in multiple opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to enforce its rights in its flagship brand.
- Won a motion before the Southern District of Georgia to dismiss claims of trademark infringement and misappropriation on behalf of a renowned fragrance house and international fashion designer, later affirmed on appeal to the Eleventh Circuit.
- Represented plaintiff in false advertising litigation against a competitor over claims relating to the parties’ wound care products, defeating the defendant’s motion to dismiss before resolving the matter.
Copyright
- Represented a nonprofit declaratory judgment plaintiff in an action for copyright infringement stemming from the posting of the official annotated state code at the trial court and appeals court levels.
- Represented a major film production company in defending against a pro se plaintiff’s action for copyright infringement.
- Represented the creditor in bankruptcy proceedings relating to the copyrightability of certain materials pertinent to the oilfield services industry licensed to the debtor.