International business and intellectual property
We represent our clients worldwide in intellectual property matters. We manage and maintain a portfolio of active trademark and patent applications and granted registrations on behalf of clients all over the world. Our attorneys have collaborated with and developed long-standing, trusted relationships with foreign counsel in countries around the world. Our attorneys use these relationships to obtain up-to-date and expert advice in countries where our clients do business.
An additional resource used to maintain relationships with foreign colleagues is the International Trademark Association (INTA), whose members protect intellectual property around the world. Attorneys in our intellectual property group have been active participants in INTA, have served as committee chairs, and include a recipient of INTA's coveted "Volunteer of the Year" award. These established relationships have allowed us to obtain top quality, reliable representation for our clients world-wide at cost-effective pricing.
Our international IP practice group includes attorneys that are fluent in German, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish and who provide legal services to clients in those languages.
We assist our clients in all aspects of intellectual property abroad, including:
- Prosecution of patent and trademark applications under international agreements, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Community Trademark Office (CTM) and the Madrid Protocol, as well as in individual countries
- Enforcement efforts against trademark squatters in foreign jurisdictions including China, Europe and countries in the Middle East
- Negotiation of purchases of previously registered and established marks in foreign jurisdictions
- Efficient and economical global IP portfolio management with the assistance of experienced paralegals
- Resolution of patent and trade secret disputes using the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce
- Registration of design patents, copyrights and trademarks with U.S. and foreign Customs Offices and issues related to grey market imports
- Domain name dispute resolution proceedings before the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
- Global franchising, licensing and enforcement of intellectual property
- Protection of confidential information and other considerations in structuring transactions in countries across the globe