Knobbe Martens Names New Chairs of Market-Leading Trademark and Brand Protection Group
IRVINE, Calif., October 22, 2025 – Knobbe Martens, one of the nation’s largest intellectual property law firms, is pleased to announce that Charlene Azema and Gregory Phillips have been named...
Charlene Azema Named Among Los Angeles Times “Beauty and Fashion Visionaries”
IRVINE, Calif., October 21, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that partner Charlene Azema has been recognized as a Los Angeles Times “Beauty and Fashion Visionary” for her...
Will the Bankruptcy of “Forever 21” Strengthen IP Rights?
For the second time since its founding in 1984, the fast-fashion movement leader, Forever 21, has filed for bankruptcy and is expected to close its over 350 U.S. locations and...
Lawdragon Names 17 Knobbe Martens Partners Among ‘Leading Litigators in America’
IRVINE, Calif., September 8, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that 17 of the firm’s partners have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading...
Dozens of Knobbe Martens Lawyers Featured in “Best Lawyers” 2026 Guide
IRVINE, Calif., August 21, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that dozens of the firm’s lawyers, representing a range of practice areas and offices across the country, have...
Not So Cozy: Prosecution History Disclaimer for Design Patents
TOP BRAND LLC v. COZY COMFORT CO. LLC Before Dyk, Reyna, and Stark. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. Summary: Arguments presented during prosecution...
Not Lost in Translation: Federal Circuit Clarifies Application of the Doctrine of Foreign Equivalents
IN RE: VETEMENTS GROUP AG Before Prost, Wallach, and Chen. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: A party opposing application of the doctrine of foreign equivalents has...
2025 Chambers USA Guide Honors Standout Knobbe Martens Partners and Practices
Firm ranks highly in life sciences, patent litigation, patent prosecution, and trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, recognized for “five-star” client service IRVINE, Calif. & SEATTLE, June 6, 2025 – Knobbe Martens...
Deckers Kicks Off Trade Dress Battle Against Costco and CVS Over UGG Lookalikes
On May 8, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (“Deckers”), owner of the intellectual property rights for brands including UGG, Teva, Hoka, and Ahnu, filed two separate lawsuits in the U.S. District Court...
Fashion’s New Powerhouse: IP Lessons from Prada’s $1.375 Billion Versace Deal
On April 10, 2025, Italian fashion house Prada announced its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for $1.375 billion, uniting two of Italy’s most iconic luxury brands. Though financial implications...
German Sandals Follow the Functional Footsteps of U.S. Cheerleader Uniform Shape
In a recent decision, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice held that Birkenstock’s sandal design was not eligible for copyright protection. The court held that Birkenstock sandals did not display sufficient creativity...
Knobbe Martens Named Among Top U.S. Law Firms for Retail Companies by The Fashion Law
IRVINE, Calif., March 7, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that the firm has been recognized on The Fashion Law’s inaugural list of Top U.S. Law Firms for...
Jonathan Hyman and Eric Blosser Author Article on MetaBirkins Trademark Appeal in The Recorder
In the article “MetaBirkins Update: Is It Art or a Commercial Product?” published in The Recorder, attorneys Jonathan Hyman and Eric Blosser offer a comprehensive overview of the trademark issues...
Falsely Claiming Patent Protection May Violate the Lanham Act
CROCS, INC. v. EFFERVESCENT, INC.
Before Reyna, Cunningham and Albright. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Summary: A claim that an unpatented product feature is “patented,” “proprietary,” or “exclusive” may violate Section 43(a)(1)(B) of the Lanham Act.
Knobbe Martens Partner Jessica Sganga Named Among “Beauty and Fashion Visionaries” by Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES, September 16, 2024 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that partner Jessica Sganga has been recognized as a “Beauty and Fashion Visionary” by the Los Angeles Times....
FTC Cracks Down on Deceptive Marketing: Old Southern Brass Faces Consequences for False Claims on “Made in USA” and Military Association
The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on Florida-based EXOTOUSA LLC d/b/a Old Southern Brass and its owner (collectively, “OSB”) for deceptive claims regarding the origin of its products and its alleged financial donations to military causes. OSB advertised that its products, including glassware, mugs, pens, and other novelty items, were made entirely in the U.S. by displaying statements on its product listings such as “100% American made,” “made right here in the United States of America,” and “100% USA made.” OSB also purported to be veteran-operated and pledged to donate 10% of its sales to military charities. The FTC’s order, finalized in January 2024, found those claims inaccurate, halted the deceptive practices, and imposed a monetary judgment against OSB.
Jeff Van Hoosear Quoted in Bloomberg Law on Trump Sneakers, Christian Louboutin Trademark
In the article “Trump Sneakers’ Red Soles Risk Louboutin Trademark Infringement,” trademark and brand protection practice co-chair Jeff Van Hoosear discussed the potential outcomes of a trademark dispute between luxury...
A Discussion With Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit’s Joe Wheatley: How Amazon Finds Bad Actors and Removes Counterfeit Products
In this inaugural episode of the Knobbe IP+ podcast, Knobbe Martens partner Greg Phillips speaks with Joe Wheatley, Senior Counsel, Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit, about how the Counterfeit Crimes Unit...
Lynda Zadra-Symes, Jeff Van Hoosear and Talisha Faruk Write About Upcoming Luxury Fashion IP Trends in World Intellectual Property Review
In the article “5 Trends Affecting Luxury Fashion IP in 2024,” Knobbe Martens partners Lynda Zadra-Symes and Jeff Van Hoosear and associate Talisha Faruk* share their predictions for the IP...
FTC Warns Trade Associations and Influencers of Not-So-Sweet Penalties for Failing to Sufficiently Disclose Sponsorship of Aspartame and Sugar Products
Social media and influencer marketing is now critical for business promotion. However, organizations and influencers that misrepresent, fail to disclose, or include inadequate disclosures regarding their sponsorship or connection to social media content risk attention from the FTC and civil penalties of up to $50,120 per violation. Following revision of its Endorsement Guides in June, the FTC has continued to focus on influencer marketing, including recently in the area of health and safety.
Charlene Azema Co-Authors Article in WIPR on Acquired Distinctiveness Challenges for Brands
Knobbe Martens partner Charlene Azema, together with Kunz-Hallstein Rechtsanwälte partner Roberto Kunz-Hallstein and Bird & Bird partner Géraldine Arbant, has co-authored an article for World Intellectual Property Review on the...
