Whether managing an international trademark portfolio for a footwear and apparel company or counseling an individual designer with respect to trademark selection and clearance, Pierce Atwood's trademark attorneys provide practical, business-oriented advice. We understand the importance of knowing each client's business, and have industry experience in electronics and semiconductors, fashion and apparel, footwear, personal care products, software and software-as-a-service, consumer products, e-commerce, entertainment, and financial services.

Leveraging a network of highly skilled trademark agents and counsel around the world, Pierce Atwood's trademark team has the reach to deliver results that brand owners expect. Our expertise extends to a wide variety of trademark-related matters, including clearance, registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and abroad, sending and responding to cease and desist letters, licensing, and managing the unique risks presented by cybersquatting, keyword advertising, and other internet-enabled practices of concern to brand owners.

When business solutions are not available to resolve trademark disputes, Pierce Atwood's trademark attorneys partner closely with our experienced team of IP litigation attorneys to enforce and defend trademark rights in federal and state courts, in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and in domain name disputes under the UDRP before ICANN-approved dispute resolution service providers.

Please visit our Trademark Practice Group page for more information.

Representative Experience

On behalf of our client Vans, Inc., we won summary judgment in trade-dress infringement case in Federal District Court in Boston. The court granted summary judgment to Vans, upholding the design of its Pro-Tec snow and skateboarding helmets against competitor’s trade dress allegations. Vans, Inc. and five other companies that design, manufacture, and sell sports helmets (among other products), were sued by a competitor alleging trade-dress infringement and unfair competition. The plaintiff, Bern Unlimited, Inc., contended the visor on its Baker snow helmets was unique and distinctive, and that Vans and the other defendants were prohibited from selling helmets that also contained a visor. The court found as a matter of law that Bern’s helmet design lacked distinctiveness, thus freeing Vans and other companies to sell competing helmets with visors. In a 56-page opinion issued on March 31, 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Saylor dismissed the claims against Vans and the other defendants.

Pierce Atwood Wins Summary Judgment in Trade-Dress Infringement Case

We work closely with the clothing company of a nationally known pop star to help protect and enforce the company’s trademark rights and negotiate various licensing and other business contracts.

Pop Star's Clothing Company in Trademark and Licensing Matters

Pierce Atwood is U.S. intellectual property counsel to Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. (ERI), the largest recycler of electronic waste in North America. Headquartered in Fresno, California, ERI services every zip code in the United States with innovative and market leading e-waste solutions.  Pierce Atwood advises ERI in connection with patent and trademark strategies and IP portfolio management.

U.S. IP Counsel to Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. (ERI)