Source: https://www.brinksgilson.com/biographies/howard-michael
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:31:53+00:00

Document:
Howard Michael is a chair of the firm's Trademark Practice Group. With nearly 20 years of experience in intellectual property law, Howard has helped protect trademarks, copyrights, advertising and trade secrets for many of the world’s largest companies. A seasoned courtroom veteran who also provides transactional and prosecution counseling, he represents clients in a wide range of industries including social media, Internet search, finance, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, robotics, alternative energy, food and beverage, steel, waste disposal, and numerous home and consumer goods.
Howard has a particular focus on high-stakes, fast-moving trademark counterfeiting matters. He works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Marshals Service to stop counterfeit goods from entering the country, obtains injunctive relief and coordinates the ex parte seizures of such goods where possible.
His many other cases involve virtually every area of intellectual property—including trademark, copyright and patent infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, trademark dilution and abandonment, and trade dress. He appears regularly in federal court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He also is asked to regularly speak on topical trademark issues.
Clients often look to Howard for advice on worldwide trademark and technology licensing. Applying a litigation perspective, he is able to think forward to identify and avoid potential pitfalls and areas of controversy.
Represents Earthgrains Baking Companies in trademark infringement litigation involving the national launch of a product line and issues including fair use and geographic rights.
To combat the illegal importation of counterfeit ball bearings into the United States, helped NTN Corporation obtain temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, ex parte seizure orders and final judgments against several defendants.
Protected trademark registrations for Groupon, Inc. in several opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Represented Kimberly-Clark in response to motion for preliminary injunction directed to client’s trade dress and production configuration.
Assisted a not-for-profit client in developing and licensing a groundbreaking online course for Chicago public school students.
Flowers Bakeries Brands LLC v. Earthgrains Baking Companies Inc., et al, Case No. 7:13-cv-00138 (M.D. Georgia). Representing Earthgrains in trademark infringement lawsuit involving bread and baked goods.
VoiceFill LLC v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Case No. 2:13-CV-00072 (E.D. Texas). Representing Blue Cross and Blue Shield Of Texas in patent infringement litigation.
NTN Corporation, et al. v. Thomas et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-461 (W.D. North Carolina). Represented NTN Corporation in action directed to illegal importation of counterfeit ball bearings. Attained temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and ex parte seizure. Final judgment in favor of client.
NTN Corporation, et al. v. George J. Mandas, et al., Case No. 2:10-cv-00257(D. Arizona). Represented NTN Corporation in action directed to illegal importation of counterfeit ball bearings. Final judgment in favor of client.
NTN Corporation and NTN Bearing Corporation of America v. Juan Olivas, Case No. 3:11-CV-00182 (D. Texas). Represented NTN in action directed to illegal importation of counterfeit ball bearings. Secured temporary restraining order, permanent injunction and ex parte seizure order in favor of client.
Consumers Digest Communications, LLC v. Avaya Media, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:10 -cv-2698. Represented leading magazine provider as lead counsel in trademark infringement action involving CONSUMERS DIGEST BEST BUY Certification Mark. Final judgment in favor of client.
ComPsych Corporation v. Health Champion LLC, Case No. 3:12-cv-692. Defeated motion for preliminary injunction directed to client's use of the HEALTHCHAMPION trademark.
Dazzlesmile, et al. v. Yahoo! Inc., et al., Case No. 2:09-cv-11043 (D. Utah). Represented Yahoo! in trademark infringement ligation. Case dismissed in favor of client.
Mary Kay Inc. v. Yahoo! Inc., Case No. 3:09-cv-01278-M (N.D. Tex). Represented Yahoo! in trademark infringement litigation.
Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., et al., Case No. 09-cv-2263 (N.D. Ill). Represented Kimberly-Clark in trade dress infringement case. Case dismissed on summary judgment in favor of client.
Yahoo! Inc. v. National Football League Players Association, Inc., et al., Case No. 09-cv-01272-PJS-FLN (D. Minn.). Successfully represented Yahoo! Inc. in declaratory judgment action relating to right of publicity and fantasy football game.
Heartbrand Beef Inc. v. Yahoo!, et al., Case No. 6:08-cv-00062 (S.D. Tex). Successfully represented Yahoo! against Lanham Act false designation claim. Dismissed.
International Information Systems Security Certifications Consortium v. Yahoo!, et al., Case No. 2:07-cv-1195 (S.D. Ohio). Successfully represented Yahoo! against motion for temporary restraining order in trademark suit concerning Yahoo! message boards. Dismissed.
Tyco Healthcare Group LP et al. v. Kimberly-Clark Corp. et al., Case No. 06-11809-JLT (D. Mass.). Successfully represented Kimberly-Clark against motion for preliminary injunction in trademark suit concerning feminine hygiene product.
800-JR Cigar, Inc. v. Goto.com, Inc. (now Yahoo!) et al., Case No. 00 CV 03179 (D. N.J.). Successfully represented Overture Services, Inc., an Internet search engine, as defendant in trademark infringement suit concerning bidding on search terms that comprise trademarks of plaintiff.
Government Employees Insurance Company v. Google, Inc. and Overture Services, Inc., (now Yahoo!). Case No. 1:04cv 607 (E.D. Va.). Successfully represented Overture Services, Inc., an Internet search engine, as defendant in trademark infringement suit concerning bidding on search terms that comprise trademarks of plaintiff.
Procter & Gamble v. Randy Haugen and Amway Corporation (D. Ut. 1995-2003). Successfully represented Amway against P&G's claims based on the Lanham Act, defamation per se, tortious interference with business relations and vicarious liability. All of P&G's claims were dismissed at the pleading stage or by summary judgment. The 10th Circuit affirmed.
American Red Magen David for Israel v. Magen David Adom, U.S.A., Inc. v. Magen David Adom in Israel, Case No. 02 CV 8876 (S.D. N.Y.). Successfully represented Magen David Adom, U.S.A., Inc. in trademark infringement case involving MAGEN DAVID ADOM service mark. Settled.
Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. v. Hartee's Driving Range, Inc., and Thomas E. Hartman, Jr., individually and d/b/a Hartee's Mini Golf, Case No. 99 1312 (W.D. Pa.). Successfully represented Hardee's in trademark infringement suit regarding HARDEE'S trademark.
Intermatic Incorporated v. Salesmakers, Inc., Case No. 01 C 8601 (N.D. Ill.). Represented Intermatic in trademark infringement case regarding INTERMATIC timers. Dismissed.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project v. Gina Barrera d/b/a Projection Rhythm Productions, Case No. CV 04C 0619 (N.D. Ill.). Successfully represented CHRP in trademark infringement action to prevent use of PROJECT RHYTHM service mark for use with tap dance workshops.
Flowers Bakeries Brands, LLC v. Earthgrains Baking Companies, Inc., Opposition No. 91213715 (T.T.A.B.). Representing Earthgrains in trademark opposition proceeding involving bread and baked goods.
Groupon, Inc. v. Social Reality, Inc., Opposition No. 91209799 (T.T.A.B.). Representing Groupon in opposition proceeding involving several Groupon trademark registrations.
Groupon, Inc. v. 7180799 Canada, Inc., Opposition No. 91209480 (T.T.A.B.). Representing Groupon in opposition proceeding involving several Groupon trademark registrations.
Groupon, Inc. v. Vera Organics, LLC, Opposition No. 91212659 (T.T.A.B.). Representing Groupon in opposition proceeding involving several Groupon trademark registrations.
Groupon, Inc. v. Fernbrook Technologies LLC, Opposition No. 91214054 (T.T.A.B). Representing Groupon in opposition proceeding involving several Groupon trademark registrations.
Groupon, Inc. v. Beachbody, LLC, Opposition No. 91214204 (T.T.A.B.). Representing Groupon in opposition proceeding involving several Groupon trademark registrations.
Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., et al., Cancellation No. 92051438 (T.T.A.B.). Represented Kimberly-Clark in cancellation proceeding involving several Georgia-Pacific trademark registrations. Settled.
Fox Broadcasting Company v. Steve Dahl & Co., Opposition No. 91166194 (T.T.A.B.). Successfully represented Fox Broadcasting Company in opposition concerning TRADING SPOUSES.
East West Bank v. United States Steel Corporation, Opposition Nos. 91177674 and 91177809 (T.T.A.B.). Successfully represented U. S. Steel in opposition proceeding concerning ROSS BRIDGE mark. Settled.
Autodesk, Inc. v. Dassault Systemes S.A., Opposition No. 158,625 (T.T.A.B.) Successfully represented Dassault Systemes S.A. in opposition proceeding concerning DS Design mark. Settled.
Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp. v. Vectra Fitness, Inc., Opposition No. 91122839 (T.T.A.B.). Successfully represented Bally in TTAB opposition proceeding regarding PINNACLE mark. Dismissed.
Gregg Harris v. Cassandra Hunt-Parker d/b/a Clowns2go, Inc., Case No. 01 CH 20644 (Cir. Ct. Ill.). Successfully represented defendant as lead counsel in trademark infringement action. Dismissed on summary judgment.
Discover Financial Services, Inc. v. Mary Catherine Taylor, Case No. 01 CH 19239 (Cir. Ct. Ill.). Successfully defended Ms. Taylor in trade secret misappropriation case. Dismissed.
Bally Total Fitness, Inc. v. Mike Torres, d/k/a Dallas Internet Service, a/k/a Global media Consulting, Case No. D2001-0546 (WIPO). Secured transfer of domain name ballyfitness.com.
The Rival Company v. DVO Enterprises, Case No. D2002-0265 (WIPO). Secured transfer of domain name crock-potrecipes.net.

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