Gipson Hoffman & Pancione is a leader in the field of intellectual property (IP) law with national expertise. Our clients include established businesses, startups, universities, and nonprofits in diverse fields.
Our attorneys have successfully litigated copyright cases at trial and on appeal to and including the United States Supreme Court, and we have solved specialized and nuanced complications of IP acquisitions, licensing, and institutional policy making. Our clients include some of the nation’s largest companies and most prominent universities. At GHP we have an established practice in copyright law, trademark law, and patent licensing, as well as experience with right of publicity, privacy, trade secrets, and libel and slander.
Copyrights
The attorneys at GHP provide copyright expertise to our clients in a wide range of industries, including entertainment, software development, publishing, and university administration. We have resolved a wide range of complex and contentious issues for our clients, including those involving competing rights of ownership, fair use, the scope of exceptions, and identifying works that are in the public domain. We have helped clients with the complexities of “termination of transfers,” disclosure requirements for issuing securities, and the subtleties of business acquisitions and estate inheritances. Our attorneys also have represented clients in copyright litigation, including winning a unanimous victory from the United States Supreme Court in Fogerty v. Fantasy, Inc.
Publishing & Licensing
Managing and licensing copyrights is fundamental to authors, publishers, broadcasters, and many other clients who are navigating a changing environment. We have helped authors negotiate more favorable publication agreements and equipped publishers to respond to the new expectations in the era of digital technologies.
Trademarks & Branding
Nearly every business client has trademark, branding, and related needs, and the goodwill represented by a name and logo can often be among the most valuable assets of a going enterprise. We actively work with our clients to analyze and review the legal rights for their names, logos, designs, and other identities for new and expanding businesses.
Inventory and Audit of IP Assets
Every business and nonprofit organization owns and uses intellectual property, often without fully realizing the importance and value of these assets. GHP has worked with publishers, foundations, and major businesses to review and assess their IP assets and related agreements. If a client is launching a new initiative or looking to maximize its value in a merger or sale, the nature and extent of the patents, copyrights, and trademarks it owns or controls can be crucial. With our assistance, clients have been able to identify new rights and, based on these findings, craft stronger acquisition agreements, employment terms, and license provisions to better serve the clients’ objectives.
Expert Consultation & Testimony
Our attorneys have provided services as expert witnesses in litigation relating to art, software, publishing, fair use, fashion design, and other copyright and intellectual property matters. We have submitted reports and testified during trials, often reshaping the issues and leading to favorable rulings. Our lawyers have distinct and extraordinary expertise in the development of law around the world, the history and evolution of copyright concepts, and the implementation of IP policy and principles by governments, universities, and business organizations.
Intellectual Property Litigation
The intellectual property litigation practice at GHP encompasses the protection of—and defense against—claims involving copyrights, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, reputation, privacy rights, and rights of publicity. We have represented and provided specialized legal support for clients who are engaged in disputes or litigation involving film screenplays, music compositions, toys, sculptures, geometric designs, household goods, textbooks, computer software, clothing, textiles, personal care products, digital media, and Internet advertising.