The firm’s intellectual property practice emphasizes litigation of trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition disputes. 

A substantial part of our intellectual property practice involves disputes over entertainment and media content.  Our clients include film studios, producers, directors, writers, music producers and publishers, songwriters, and distributors.

• Trademark – We are familiar with all aspects of trademark law.  The firm prosecutes and defends Lanham Act cases involving infringement, dilution, and counterfeiting of both registered and common law trademarks.  We have fought battles for our clients involving cross-border trademark disputes, including a recent major victory for domestic trademark holders before the United States Court of Appeals, resulting in a seminal decision.  Grupo Gigante, SA De CV v. Dallo & Co., 391 F.3d 1088 (9th Cir. 2004).

• Copyright – We have prosecuted and defended challenging cases involving the authorship or alleged copying of film content, scripts, music, commercials, artwork, computer software, books, catalogs, internet content, and consumer products. 

• Entertainment and Media – Our practice involves the protection and prosecution of intellectual property rights associated with all forms of entertainment content and broadcast media.  We have litigated disputes involving:
• Motion Picture and Television production and related copyrights and trademarks, distribution, and delivery requirements
• Home Video distribution and royalty accounting
• Script and screenplay protection, idea submission, and misappropriation
• Music production, publishing, and related copyright protection and performance rights
• Advertising – publicity rights and image protection, performance rights and royalties, commercial production, and false advertising
• Privacy Rights – defamation, false light, and right of publicity