Mike is actively involved in intellectual property registration, licensing and litigation throughout the United States and internationally. He frequently represents clients in Federal Court and specializes in intellectual property and technology matters. Mike has represented clients in actions and negotiations across the spectrum of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, advertising, trade secrets, covenants not to compete, covenants not to disclose, computer software, publishing, endorsements, the Internet and domain names.
Representative Experience
Intellectual property counsel to ING North America, Chick-fil-A, Inc., Mizuno Corporation, The Southern Company, Dollar General Corporation, AGCO Corporation, Mohawk Carpet Corporation, The Step Company, ChoicePoint, Inc., Integrity Toys, The PGA Tour, Inc., Davidson College and NewsBank, Inc.
Represented numerous authors in agreements with book publishers
Represented numerous licensors and licensees in trademark, copyright and software license agreements
Frequently served as mediator in trademark infringement litigation
Counsel to numerous clients in trademark, copyright and domain name infringement actions in federal court and before administrative agencies
Administered multiple sweepstakes and promotions for Mizuno Corporation, the Southern Company, Georgia Power Company, Chick-fil-A, Inc., Cousins Properties Incorporated, Leica Geosystems, Crystal Springs Water, Holiday Inn, Mohawk Carpet Corporation, XM Satellite Radio, General Motors Corporation and others
Listed correspondent and procured over 1800 trademark registrations in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Procured trademark registrations in over 90 countries
Successfully represented client in ICANN dispute proceeding to obtain southerncompany.com, southernlincwireless.com and other domain names
Have represented clients in numerous other domain name sales, purchases, licenses and disputes
Represented clients in negotiations for product and service endorsement agreements with Chipper Jones, Paul Azinger, Luke Donald, Billy Andrade, Todd Helton, John Smoltz, Jeff Sluman, Larry Mize, John Cook, Brad Elder, Bob Tway, Edwin Moses, Teresa Edwards, U.S. National Volleyball Team, U.S. National Softball Team and others
Set up national licensing plan for fitness instruction program
Represented numerous clients in advertising review and compliance matters, including review for FTC, national television network broadcast, false advertising and comparative advertising issues
Presentations and Speaking Engagements
Panelist, “The Next Frontier In Due Diligence: Changing Importance of IP in M&A”, Intellectual Property Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2007.
Moderator, "Managing Employee IP Legal Issues," Corporate Intellectual Property Institute, Georgia State University, October 2007.
Speaker, "Intellectual Property for the Entrepreneur," Georgia State University, March 2006
Co-Chair and Speaker, "Management of Technology in the Workplace," The Seminar Group, January 2006, August 2006
Speaker, "The Top Trademark Decisions of 2004," Minnesota State Bar Association, March 2005
Speaker, "Trademark Law Update," Georgia Springposium, April 2005, April 2006
Panelist, "Sports Marketing: Endorsements, Sponsorships and Merchandising," Hot Topics and Trends in Sports Licensing, Sponsorships, and Athletic Endorsements, State Bar of Georgia Entertainment and Sports Law Section, April 2005
Speaker, "Effective Corporate IP Programs," Law Seminars International, December 2004, November 2005
Speaker, "Trademark Law for the Entertainment Lawyer," Entertainment Law Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 2004
Speaker, "Trademark Portfolio - Acquisition and Protection Workshop," Law Seminars International, July 2004
Chair, "Understanding Basic Trademark Law," Practicing Law Institute, October 2003
Speaker, "Recent Developments in Trademark Law," State Bar of Georgia Mid-year Meeting, January 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Speaker, "Understanding Trademarks in Georgia," Lorman Education Services, May 2001
Speaker, "The Legal Nexus Between Sports & Entertainment Issues," State Bar of Georgia Entertainment Law Section, April 2001, March 2003
Speaker, "Internet E-Commerce & Computer Law," Cincinnati Bar Association, May 2001
Speaker, "Intellectual Property Litigation," Sponsored by Law Seminars International, April 2001
Speaker, "Recent Developments in Trademark Law," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, November 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006
Speaker, "Current Issues in IP Licensing," Intellectual Property Institute, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, October 1997
Panelist, "Entertainment Law for the Next Millennium: Legal Issues in New Technology," Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, April 1997
Speaker, "Entertainment Law for the Next Millennium: Legal Issues in New Technology," Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, April 1997
Speaker, "Doing Business in the Pacific Rim," Intellectual Property Issues, Sponsored by ICLE in Georgia, July 1992
Publications
Author, “Getting to know the Client,” Advertising and Marketing Law: Client Strategies, Aspatore Books (2007)
Author, "Orange Flavor Is No Trademark", The National Law Journal, April 23, 2007
Author, "Builder Beware: How to Avoid Blueprint and Building Design Lawsuits," Construction Business Owner Magazine, August 2006
Public Service
Board of Directors, Buckhead YMCA
Board of Directors, Children's Museum of Atlanta
Volunteer, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts