Intellectual Property
The Intellectual Property (IP) Department at DP&F provides clients with counseling and representation on all aspects of trademark, copyright, false advertising, Internet, trade secret and unfair competition law, both domestically and internationally. DP&F's intellectual property clients include small, local businesses, trade associations, large multinational companies and foreign entities doing business in the United States. The IP Department advises clients on the adoption and availability of trade names, trademarks and service marks, and files and prosecutes applications for the registration of marks in the Patent and Trademark Office and the registration of copyrights in the Copyright Office. Lawyers in the group also represent clients before the Patent and Trademark Office in opposing and canceling the trademark applications and registrations of third parties. DP&F maintains a network of international associates so that it can apply for trademark registrations and protect clients' intellectual property rights in any country in the world. By utilizing the most advanced proprietary database systems available in the industry, DP&F provides its clients with seamless management and maintenance of their intellectual property dockets. DP&F also provides counseling to its clients on protection strategies for their intellectual properties and trade secrets, assessment of unfair competition issues, legal advice and representation on the acquisition and licensing of intellectual property, and counseling on Internet domain name and false advertising issues. The IP Department polices and enforces clients' intellectual property rights against infringement by third parties, and defends clients against such infringement claims by others. DP&F's lawyers have represented clients in litigation related to copyright, trademark, trade dress and certification mark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and violation of trade secrets in California state courts and federal courts throughout the United States. DP&F's IP practice complements its special expertise in legal issues affecting the wine industry and other alcohol beverages. DP&F's IP lawyers have represented wineries and vineyards, as well as brewers and spirits producers, on a wide array of specialized IP issues, including branding, geographical indications, vineyard designations, and protection of label designs and bottle and packaging configurations. The attorneys in the Intellectual Property department are:
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