With respect to intellectual property, our emphasis is on litigating matters of trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and patent infringement. We also have substantial experience in helping clients, owners of world renown trademarks, develop and implement anti-piracy efforts in the United States and abroad, working with investigators, customs agents and other governmental bodies in investigation and enforcement. Because of the experience, make-up and location of our firm, we are in the unique position of offering what few firms can:
- We have extensive experience in intellectual property matters. For over 20 years, we have represented world-renown owners of trademarks, patents and copyrighted materials. Our clients during that time have included Polo Ralph Lauren, Panasonic, Tommy Hilfiger, Blockbuster Entertainment (subsequently merged with Viacom), Gianni Versace, Levi Strauss & Co., Hunter Fan Company, Linens 'N Things, West Coast Choppers, Lorillard and Fieldcrest Cannon. We have represented these companies in a large number of lawsuits filed in federal district courts (both the Southern District of Florida and the Middle District of Florida) against infringers and/or counterfeiters of trademarked and/or copyrighted property;
- Our intellectual property experience also extends to patent infringement litigation, which we normally handle working jointly with large law firms that have patent expertise. An example of that type of collaboration came in INTP, Inc. v. Hunter Fan Company and Linens 'N Things, Inc., Southern District of Florida. The case involved allegations of patent and copyright infringement against our clients, Hunter Fan and Linens 'N Things, stemming from their manufacture and sale of solar-powered address lights in the shape of rocks. The initial suit was for well over a million dollars. The matter was resolved at mediation on terms very favorable to our clients;
- Because we are situated in Miami, our rates are substantially lower than those charged by law firms in such cities as New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco. Moreover, our rates are competitive within Miami, so that our clients have the benefit of our experience at a lesser cost than they
would normally expect;
- We also have extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution. This is due, in part, to the fact that, unlike other Districts, the Southern District of Florida has mandatory mediation of all civil cases (including intellectual property matters). Our extensive involvement in mediations has greatly sharpened our negotiating skills. That, coupled with our extensive experience in arbitrations before the NASD, the ABA and other such panels, enables us to work with clients to resolve disputes in alternative forums, if the need or opportunity arises.
It should be noted that Elio F. Martinez, Jr., one of the firm's partners, has taught Intellectual Property Law as an adjunct professor at St. Thomas University School of Law, in Miami
