Overview
If there’s one thing that never goes out of style, it’s the leading-edge service we deliver through our Fashion and Beauty Group. We protect our clients’ brands and products, and ultimately, their reputations that they have worked so hard to establish. We provide advice, business and litigation services in all aspects of intellectual property, including copyrights, trademarks, trade dress, unfair competition, patents, trade secrets, advertising and domain names. Our clients read like a veritable “Who’s Who” of the fashion world, including renowned designers, manufacturers and resellers who create, distribute and sell luxury, contemporary and casual clothing, surfwear, swimwear, footwear, sunglasses, glasses, jewelry, watches, luggage, handbags, overnight bags, purses and wallets.
We represent fashion designers and retailers in brand licensing and obtaining worldwide trademark registrations, copyrights and domain names. We also have significant experience in enforcing and protecting trademarks, trade dress and copyrights, including litigation in state and federal courts, and working with law enforcement and customs agents to seize or impound counterfeit goods.
Representative Experience
Kate Spade
Knobbe Martens advises Kate Spade on trademark and copyright clearance matters, worldwide licensing matters, enforcement of its trademarks against third-parties, and in domain name disputes. The firm represented Kate Spade New York in numerous cases across the country enforcing the client’s trademarks and trade dress rights in various works against infringing uses on handbags, apparel, and stationary products.
Hurley International LLC v. Volta
Represented Hurley in precedential Trademark Trial and Appeal Board decision and finding on summary judgment that defendants had committed fraud. Listed by Allen’s Trademark Digest as one of top ten cases before the TTAB.
Oakley
Knobbe Martens is the primary law firm assisting Oakley in asserting its patent rights. Knobbe Martens also vigorously enforces Oakley’s trademark and trade dress rights. Oakley manufactures and distributes high-performance sunglasses, goggles, apparel, footwear, and accessories. In all suits filed over the past several years, the firm has achieved favorable results and helped keep the market clear of products that infringe Oakley’s innovative designs and technology.
Rolex Watch USA, Inc. v. Agarwal
We sued Melrose.com LLC, a Los Angeles-based e-retailer, and its founder and owner, Krishnan Agarwal, for trademark counterfeiting and trademark infringement on behalf of Rolex. The court permanently enjoined the defendants from all counterfeiting and infringing activities, and also ordered the defendants to permanently take down the Melrose.com website, to transfer the domain name Melrose.com to Rolex, and to deliver to Rolex all watch heads bearing its trademark. We also convinced the court to award Rolex $8.5 million in damages.
Licensing Experience
Assisted with development of licensing program based on popular reality TV competition show including clearance of mark for licensing categories and negotiation of a license agreement.
Basketball Brand Client
Enforced trademark portfolio for popular basketball brand resulting in increased market share.
Skateboard Brand Client
Enforced trademark portfolio of popular skateboard brand resulting in seizure of infringing product by customs in numerous countries.