Trademarks or service marks are words, devices or symbols used by a business to identify its goods or services and to distinguish them from others. The Internet has made trademarks more valuable. The Internet has also created challenges for protecting your trademarks. If you do not protect your trademarks, you can lose them. We can help you navigate these murky waters and maximize the value of your marks.

Our lawyers have experience enforcing and defending trademark rights in federal and state courts and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. We can help you select and protect what can be your business's most valuable asset: its identity.

We have obtained temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions to stop infringers from unauthorized use of our clients' marks online and in traditional commerce. Our lawyers have also resisted such efforts by competitors seeking to enjoin our clients' use of marks. We conduct and develop trademark infringement detection and enforcement programs for our clients as well.

We also advise clients regarding the selection of non-trademarks and register these marks in the United States and worldwide.

Representative Matters:

• Developed worldwide registration programs for an Internet bank and an Internet-based swapping company, among others
• Handled federal litigation involving Internet and traditional infringement in Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and South America
• Represented NetBank, Inc, one of the first and most successful Internet-based banks, in a comprehensive litigation and enforcement program involving its trademark NETBANK®
• Represented the Trade House of the Descendants of Peter Smirnov and the Russian American Spirits Company's dispute against UDV North America, Inc and the Pierre Smirnoff Company regarding their use of the "Smirnoff" trademarks in connection with the sale of the popular Smirnoff brand vodka
• Represented the trademarks and certification marks of the world governing body for soccer and its exclusive marketing partner through traditional litigation and trade show policing actions
• Handled litigation involving the trademarks for diverse products and services such as luxury cars, watches, performance sunglasses, designer fashions, bathroom fixtures, cable services, music and publishing, online merchandise and services, furniture, software and restaurants