NEWS ARCHIVE

Michael Friedland and Judge John Holcomb of the Central District of California spoke to the Los Angeles Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society on the topic "IP, AI, and the First Amendment" on March 18, 2024 at the California Club.  To view the PowerPoint for the presentation, visit here.

The Recorder published Special Counsel David Kim's article, "Copyright Fair Use and the Dark Knight" on March 7, 2024.  The article discusses copyright's fair use doctrine by applying the doctrine to five hypothetical works inspired by the original Batman comic.  To view the article, visit Copyright Fair Use and The Dark Knight | The Recorder (law.com)

The Trademark Lawyer Magazine featured partner Michael Friedland's article, "What's a Mouse to Do?" in its issue published on March 4, 2024.  The article discusses the expiration of the original copyright for Mickey Mouse, how that expiration might impact Mickey Mouse's invaluable trademark rights, and what trademark owners should do to maximize their trademark rights as their copyrights begin to expire.  To view the issue, visit here. 

Friedland Cianfrani is extremely proud to announce that experienced IP litigator David G. Kim has joined the firm as Special Counsel.  Mr. Kim is a 2015 graduate of Harvard Law School.  He received his bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2009.  Mr. Kim has extensive experience in patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation, as well as specialized IP proceedings including Hatch-Waxman actions, Section 337 investigations at the ITC, IPR proceedings before the PTAB, and opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB.  "We're excited to welcome David to our firm," said hiring partner Joe Cianfrani.  "David is an outstanding counselor, advocate, and team player.  We're so glad to have him join us as we continue to build our practice."  To view Mr. Kim's profile, visit here.

We are pleased to have been part of the team that successfully represented Z-Shade Co. and Costco before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Caravan Canopy brought suit against Z-Shade and Costco, among others, alleging infringement of a patent purporting to cover certain tents commonly used at sporting and other outdoor events. Michael Friedland was lead counsel for Z-Shade and Costco in the district court litigation. The defendants challenged the patent through the inter partes review process at the Patent Trials and Appeals Board and succeeded in invalidating all asserted claims. The plaintiff appealed that decision. Just one day after oral argument, the Federal Circuit issued its ruling affirming the PTAB’s decision, confirming the invalidity of the patent, and effectively terminating the infringement case. Mr. Friedland was part of the team that represented the defendants in the appeal, along with Lauren Katzenellenbogen of Knobbe Martens and Bill Brown of Brown Wegner.  Caravan Canopy International v. Z-Shade Co., Ltd., et al., Case No. 2022-1642 (Fed. Cir. Dec. 6, 2023).

On October 16, 2023, Michael Friedland moderated a discussion with Judge John Holcomb of the Central District of California, Lauren Katzenellenbogen of Knobbe Martens, and Christina Rayburn of Hueston Hennigan on IP litigation in the Central District of California.  The discussion was presented to a joint meeting of the Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, and MIT Alumni associations of Orange County.  

On August 21, 2023, Michael Friedland was a panelist with the nation's leading design patent expert Joel Delman of Informed Innovation on the topic, "Design Patent Protection and Enforcement: What Every IP Practitioner Should Know."  The panel was presented to the Orange County Bar Association's IP & Technology Law Section.