Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp

Firm overview:

Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp (MSK) is entrusted with the diverse international trademark portfolios of large companies, including word, acronym, logo, and non-traditional marks. The firm’s services include trademark advice and strategic counselling, registration, clearance, and prosecution and defence of Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings.

MSK’s IP team collaborates with the Corporate and Entertainment Transaction teams to provide combined IP, corporate, labour and employment law advice to clients such as joke card game maker Cards Against Humanity. Led by Eleanor Lackman, MSK successfully shut down operations by counterfeiters in China, off-line infringers in the US and obtained TTAB cancellations for similar registered marks such as ‘Jokes Against Morality’.

Team overview:

Co-chair of MSK’s IP practice group Eleanor Lackman (Highly Recommended, Non-Contentious) is a nationally recognised leader in copyright and trademark law, with a particular focus on litigation and counselling in the media, entertainment, and sports industries. Splitting her time between New York and California, Lackman has led clients in many successful trials, including appeals in federal and state courts. Her experience includes drafting amicus briefs in major trademark cases involving brands such as Disney, YouTube and Google.

Karin Pagnanelli is national chair of the firm’s Entertainment & IP Litigation Practice Group and co-chair of the Video Game Practice Group. Gaming industry giants Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft Entertainment have benefited from Pagnanelli’s expertise on lawsuits involving blockbuster titles Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

Key matters:

• MSK is representing meal-kit service Blue Apron in all aspects of trademark and copyright issues, including engaging in proceedings before the TTAB, overseeing its global trademark portfolio, and enforcing rights against infringers.
• Eleanor Lackman, Marissa Lewis and Lindsay Edelstein are on the MSK team for client Cards Against Humanity, managing international trademark prosecution and enforcement, among other services.
• MSK was chosen by the Authors Guild to register its 100-year-old brand at the USPTO; the mark has been approved for publication.

Clients:

Activision, Authors Guild, Blue Apron, Cards Against Humanity, Certified Collectibles Group, Fareportal, Ontra, Osea, Outside Interactive, The Ivy.