NEWS AND EVENTS

IP360 quoted Nicole Townes in its March 31 article, "Duke's 'White Lotus' Cameo Not Likely an IP Problem for HBO." The article addressed Duke's public criticism of the HBO show's use of Duke's trademark in a disturbing scene. Townes explained the obstacles that Duke would face if it were to bring a trademark claim under the Rogers test. The test considers, among other things, whether a creative work's use of a trademark is artistically relevant to the plot. "HBO would be able to pass pretty easily that showing of artistic relevance, given that it's so integral to the development of that particular character and his family," Nicole Rossi Townes of Friedland Cianfrani LLP told Law360.

On March 10, 2025, the Los Angeles Daily Journal profiled the firm in its March 10 article, "Better Together: Intellectual property litigators at Friedland Cianfrani say personal connection still matters." As quoted by the Daily Journal: "A lot of learning and collaboration and great ideas come when people are together, and I found when everyone during COVID was on Zoom, it didn't work quite as well," Cianfrani said. "I learned so much just in the hallways of our prior law firm, and we decided being in the office together is the way to get our best ideas and to have best collaboration among the team, and we were both pretty resolute on that one issue."

On March 6, 2025, the National Law Journal quoted Joe Cianfrani in its article, "Will the Federal Circuit's One-Word Affirmances Get Supreme Court Scrutiny?" The article covered a panel on which Cianfrani spoke debating whether the Federal Circuit's frequent reliance on one-word affirmances under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 36 was lawful. Cianfrani defended the Federal Circuit's practice. As quoted by the National Law Journal: "We live in a world of limited resources," Cianfrani said. "Wouldn't everyone love to have a 60-page opinion in every single case? Yes, or course we would. We know that we can't have that, and the courts have to make some trade offs."

Michael Friedland will speak at the LA Intellectual Property Law Association's Spring Seminar on May 2 in Laguna Beach, California as panelist on the topic, "Nice to Meet You, Your Honor: Approaching IP Cases When Appearing Before a New (or New to You) Judge."  The panel will provide practical advice and behind-the-bench insight from judges and practitioners about appearing in all types of IP cases before new district and magistrate judges. It will discuss best practices in patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret cases, with a focus on the likelihood of assignment to a new judge based on recent court changes (e.g., many new members of the bench, end of the patent program, and adoption of magistrate judge opt-out process). The panel features the Hon. David O. Carter, the Hon. Fred W. Slaughter, and the Hon. Patricia A. Donahue, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and Nancy Olson of Olson Stein LLP. For more information and to register, visit here.

Thompson Reuters has named Michael Friedland a "Super Lawyer" in the field of Intellectual Property Litigation.  It's the 18th time he has received that honor.

Joe Cianfrani spoke at a webinar on "The Federal Circuit's Reliance on One-Word Affirmances Under Rule 36: Is it Lawful?" The webinar also featured Robert J. Rando of Greenspan Marder LLP and Amit R. Vora of Kasowitz Benson Torres. To view the webinar, visit here.

On January 9, 2024, Law360 Pulse published an article on Nicole Townes joining Friedland Cianfrani. "California intellectual property boutique Friedland Cianfrani LLP is expanding its team, bringing in former corporate counsel for IP at Amazon as a partner." To see the article, visit here (subscription required).

On January 7, 2024, the Los Angeles Daily Journal featured Nicole Townes on the front page of its print edition. "I think the experience [of being in-house] is going to be invaluable as I transition back to outside counsel," she said. "I have a much better understanding as to how to effectively communicate with clients and really understanding what's important to them." To view the article, visit here (subscription required).

Partner David Kim has been named to the Board of Directors of the Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association. The members of the firm are proud of their long association with the OCIPLA. Nicole Townes is a past president of the OCIPLA, and Joe Cianfrani and Michael Friedland have both been speakers at OCIPLA events.

The firm is proud to announce that Nicole Townes has joined the firm as partner. "We're so excited to have Nicole join us," said Joe Cianfrani. "We'd worked with her for years at our prior firm, and we saw first-hand what an incredible IP litigator and trademark prosecutor she is. On top of that, Nicole brings a fresh perspective--she served for the past three years as in-house trademark counsel for one of the largest companies in the world."  For more information, visit here.

On December 9, Joe Cianfrani spoke to the Orange County Intellectual Property Law Association at its Holiday Celebration. He discussed Federal Circuit damages law on the use of prior license agreements to prove a reasonable royalty, how Rule 702 and Daubert limit their use, and the Federal Circuit's pending rehearing en banc in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Google. 

The firm represents the American Intellectual Property Law Association as amicus curiae in the Federal Circuit's rehearing en banc in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Google, Case No. 2023-1101.  The firm filed the brief on behalf of the AIPLA on November 26. To view the brief, visit here.

On November 22, 2024, the firm moved to its new home at 17901 Von Karman Ave., Ste. 925, Irvine, CA 92614.  The phone numbers remain the same.

We're proud to announce that we have invited Special Counsel David Kim to join the partnership effective January 1, 2025.    

Michael Friedland said, "[o]n top of the fact that David’s a great lawyer, he’s a perfect fit for our culture. He likes working with people. He treats everyone well. He’s patient, pleasant, and has an easy sense of humor. He’s a perfect team player. He’s exactly what we needed starting a new firm, and we’re thrilled to invite him to join the partnership.”  For more information, visit here.

On November 18, 2024, Michael Friedland, Nancy Olson of Olson Stein, and Lauren Katzenellenbogen of Knobbe Martens spoke to a joint meeting of the Orange County Bar Association's IP and Technology section and Litigation section on the topic, "Latest Issues in Trade Secrets Litigation," in Newport Beach.

On November 5, 2024, Michael Friedland spoke at the Orange County Bar Association's program, "Key Issues When Employees Leave: Complying with California's Non-Compete Laws While Protecting Trade Secrets," in Newport Beach.  

On October 31, 2024, American Marketer published Michael Friedland's article, "IP Options to Protect Products in Fashion."  The article discussed the best uses of design patents, trade dress, trademarks, and copyright to protect fashion goods.  The article can be read here.  

On August 27, 2024, Michael Friedland was among five alumni invited to speak to Harvard Law School's incoming class of first year law students to share experiences and advice.  The event was reported by Harvard Law Today.  The article can be viewed here.

On August 6, 2024, Michael Friedland moderated a discussion on the role of the U.S. International Trade Commission in patent infringement disputes. Professors Jorge L. Contreras of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, F. Scott Keiff of the George Washington University Law School, and Michael Doane of the University of Akron School of Law discussed the pros and cons of the ITC's patent jurisdiction and whether any changes are warranted in light of technology markets and supply chains that are increasingly global in scope.