Trademark Searching, Registration & Enforcement

The rapid and accurate establishment of a trademark is often a pivotal aspect in the success of any new company, product or service, allowing it to claim a meaningful position and competitive advantage in the marketplace.

At Knobbe Martens, our team of trademark professionals is unmatched in their ability to provide preeminent domestic and international trademark counseling and protection, enforcement and monetization of brands and trademarks.

We provide the due diligence support necessary to acquire trademark rights and other IP assets, and negotiate trademark licenses and coexistence agreements to further our clients’ interests.

Our ability is born from our focus. We boast an extensive infrastructure devoted solely to trademarks, which includes docket specialists, international specialists and research services. In addition, we maintain an encompassing in-house educational program that ensures our entire staff is conversant with relevant case law and emerging issues in the U.S. and abroad.

Most important, our advice is practical and cost-effective, taking into consideration our clients’ business goals, internal considerations, budget and the value placed on a mark or project.

Successes

American Sporting Goods Trademark Portfolio

Knobbe Martens has served as lead trademark counsel for all of American Sporting Goods’ (AVIA, RYKA) and Basketball Marketing Company’s (AND1) United States trademark matters. Example of achievements include: handling a sponsorship agreement between Basketball Marketing Company and the “Morris Twins” (aka Markieff Morris and Markus Morris) star basketball players picked 13th and 14th in the 2011 NBA draft, and serving as lead counsel in the following exemplary trademark enforcement matter: Formula One Licensing v. Basketball Marketing Company (2011) (negotiated favorable worldwide settlement to resolve numerous oppositions worldwide by Formula One against client Basketball Marketing Company’s trademark filings for the mark).

Andy Irons Trademark Portfolio

Knobbe Martens has represented trademark, copyright and licensing matters on behalf of the estate of the legendary surfer Andy Irons. This includes developing, implementing and managing a strategic plan for worldwide protection of the Andy Iron trademark portfolio, overseeing licensing agreements with large scale clothing partners, strategizing on brand extensions, and managing copyright protection for artwork created in honor of the late surfer’s legend.

Broadcom Corporation

Knobbe Martens has served as lead trademark counsel for all of Broadcom Corporation’s worldwide trademark matters, including: liaised with in-house legal and domain name team to establish and execute worldwide domain name enforcement and procurement strategy for Broadcom Corporation despite challenges due to ever increasing number of generic and country code level domain names. Exemplary trademark enforcement matters include: Broadcom Corporation v. Peter Ihesie (aka Broadcom Networks) (2011 NAF) (domain name transferred due to successful domain name action); Broadcom Corporation v. Domain Name Management/ Syed Hussain (NAF 2012) (domain name transferred due to successful domain name action); Broadcom Corporation v. Broadphone LLC (TTAB 2009) (represented Broadcom in obtaining summary judgment against Broadphone LLC).

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 stationery products.

The Tronie Foundation

Knobbe Martens has been handling the Tronie Foundation’s intellectual property protection on a pro bono basis since 2013. The Tronie Foundation, based in the Seattle area, was founded in 2006 by former child trafficking victims Rani and Trong Hong to serve as a voice for the millions of people worldwide who have been sold into slavery and to advocate for a world free of slavery. Lori Yamato and Samantha Markley have worked closely with the Tronie Foundation to file and register trademark and copyright applications, including those for the Freedom Seal trademark, the Tronie Foundation name, and the Foundation’s logos. They have also helped educate the Tronie Foundation with respect to its intellectual property matters.

Partners Jonathan Hyman and Hans Mayer Will Lead Group Focused on Advising Clients in Enforcing and Defending Their Advertising and Media LOS ANGELES, CALIF., March 6, 2024 -- Knobbe Martens, one of...
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...
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to announce the firm and 11 of its partners have been recognized in the 2024 edition of World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading...