Trademark Protection for Common Words and Phrases: Limitations, Conducting Searches, Grounds for Refusal

Mr. Gallagher has deep experience in trademark clearance, investigation, prosecution, as well as client counseling and management of domestic and international trademark portfolios. He also has significant experience assisting clients with trademark enforcement, opposition and cancellation proceedings; brand protection programs; trademark, unfair competition and false advertising disputes and litigation; internet domain name disputes and proceedings (UDRPs); and trademark licensing. He provides tailored advice for handling IP issues involving social media; IP due diligence and IP licensing; copyright counseling, registration, protection and litigation; Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice and take down procedures; and domain name acquisition.

Ms. Littman-Johnson focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation and enforcement. She has significant experience representing clients in federal courts throughout the United States and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Ms. Littman-Johnson's experience also includes representing clients in Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution (UDRP) proceedings, and protecting and enforcing clients’ intellectual property rights online and on social media. In addition to her intellectual property litigation practice, she advises on brand management and protection in the United States and globally, and on copyright development and registration.

Ms. Noordyke is an intellectual property attorney and serves as Trademark Counsel, Global IP at Medtronic.  She provides counsel to the company on all issues related to trademark and copyright law. Ms. Noordyke was previously in private practice, focusing on trademark clearance, investigation, prosecution, licensing, branding, social media, cybersquatting, internet domain name disputes, copyright matters, and advertising and promotions.