In this age of instant information and high-tech communications, a company’s success often depends upon the proper protection of its intellectual property, including its trademarks and copyrights. Woodcock Washburn is dedicated to helping our clients strategically grow, secure, protect, defend and enforce their valuable trademark and copyright assets, particularly in light of the rapidly evolving global marketplace. Our team of sophisticated and experienced trademark and copyright attorneys and professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide our clients with focused solutions in a cost effective manner, regardless of the type of industry or size of the company.

We study our clients’ business environments and work closely with them in order to better understand their needs and objectives. This allows us not only to help our clients craft strategies that maximize their portfolio’s value and protection, but also helps them to identify areas of growth.

Trademarks

• Conduct thorough screenings and searches to ascertain the availability of marks in the United States and throughout the world
• Render opinions on the registrability and/or use of a mark, both offensively and defensively
• Prepare and prosecute trademark applications for registration throughout the world
• Assist clients with strategic portfolio management
• Work with a well-established network of firms throughout the world to ensure compliance with local practices and customs
• Provide counseling on registration and acquisition of domain names worldwide
• Negotiate and prepare complex assignments, licenses and other agreements
• Develop brand guidelines to encourage proper trademark use
• Monitor and research third-party applications, uses and infringements
• Pursue, enforce and defend our client’s rights, aggressively if needed, in federal and state courts and in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Handle cybersquatting issues and other related domain name disputes
• Perform due diligence research
• Monitor legislation which impacts on trademark rights and usage

Copyrights

• Counsel on the effective and appropriate use and protection of copyrighted materials
• Assist with rights clearance and develop registration procedures with our clients
• Obtain copyright registrations
• Enforce and defend copyright infringements
• Negotiate and prepare appropriate consents, licenses and releases
• Develop internet policies, terms and conditions, and website review
• Monitor legislation which impacts on copyright rights and usage

Our seasoned team of trademark and copyright attorneys and professionals will look at all aspects of our client’s needs, from traditional trademark prosecution to complex and/or emerging issues involving trade dress, comparative advertising, dilution, DMCA violations, counterfeits, internet piracy, false advertising, security interests, and multifaceted license agreements.

Therefore, whether you need counseling, protection or enforcement, we have the experience and resources available to help you achieve your goals.