Experience Across Complex and High-Value Cases

Our experience involves disputes that range from relatively small claims to large, complex cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars. Some of our past successes include a trade secret case resulting in one of the largest arbitration awards in Minnesota history. Our IP defense work includes frequent representation of policyholders who have liability insurance covering advertising injuries or other claims.

Cost-Effective Representation with Courtroom Experience

Defending and prosecuting IP claims can be complicated and expensive. At Bassford Remele, we handle these claims cost efficiently, with lawyers who have extensive courtroom experience.

Representative Cases

• Representation of global computer-equipment company, obtaining an award in excess of $625 million in a complex trade secret arbitration.
• Representation of global technology company in a patent infringement claim involving hard disk drive technology.
• Defense of national credit-reporting company, obtaining a defense jury verdict after a six-week trial in a complex trademark dispute.
• Representation of Swiss doll maker against retailer, distributor and manufacturer for making knock-off dolls, inter alia trade dress infringement, false advertising and trademark dilution. Heidi Ott A.G. v. Target Corp. et al., 153 F. Supp. 2d 1055 (D. Minn. 2001).
• Defense of travel agency in trademark infringement lawsuit brought by the producers of the Lord of the Rings movies. Matter decided in the defendant’s favor on the grounds of laches. Saul Zaentz Co. v. Wozniak Travel, Inc., 627 F. Supp. 2d 1096, 89 U.S.P.Q.2d 1665 (N.D. Cal. 2008).
• Representation of national restaurant chain, obtaining a summary judgment in a complicated trademark and trade dress infringement claim.
• Representation of health care provider, obtaining resolution of a copyright and trademark infringement action.
• Defense of large health system, obtaining a favorable resolution in a patent infringement claim involving security systems.
• Representation of restaurant chain in favorably resolving Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceeding, resulting in the registration of its trademarks.
• Representation of marketing company, obtaining dismissal of a trade secret dispute.
• Representation of global medical-device company, obtaining a summary judgment in a case involving claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information.
• Defense of major software company against multiple software vendors, favorably resolving claims of copyright and trademark infringement.
• Defense of global manufacturing company, obtaining a decision addressing the application of the law of the flag doctrine in patent litigation cases. M-I Drilling Fluids UK Ltd. v. Dynamic Air Inc., 99 F. Supp. 3d 969 (D. Minn. 2015).
• Representation of advertising agency, obtaining an order in a copyright dispute regarding a television advertisement and limiting the scope of discovery and damages before the matter was resolved.
• Defense of retailer in copyright, counterfeiting, trademark infringement and RICO matter involving the sale of videos. (E.D. Cal. 2010).
• Representation of plaintiff in gray market/counterfeiting unfair competition matter regarding auto parts sold under plaintiff’s trademark. (D. Minn. 2006-2009).
• Successful defense of preliminary injunction motion in a color trade dress matter involving ice fishing shelters.
• Defense of trade dress infringement claim involving surgical devices. (D. Minn.).
• Representation of auto-body supply distributor, obtaining a favorable award in a patent infringement claim.
• Representation of software inventor, obtaining dismissal of a large claim by a major bank under a patent license agreement.
• Representation of tanning salon, obtaining dismissal of an unfair competition claim between competing salon chains.
• Brought declaratory judgment against trademark registrant asserting infringement claim and counterclaimed for cancellation of trademark registration pertaining to use of mark on firearms and silencers. (D. Minn).
• Brought declaratory judgment against trademark registrant asserting infringement and opposing a trademark registration for snack chip. (D. Minn).
• Brought declaratory judgment against estate of John Dillinger pertaining to claims of trademark infringement regarding use of DILLINGER as a trademark. (D. Minn).
• Patent inventorship dispute. Stern v. Columbia University, 434 F.3d 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
• Brought declaratory judgment against trademark registrant asserting infringement regarding mark for and opposing a trademark registration for chocolate candies. (D. Minn).
• Prosecution of breach of contract claims and defense of trademark infringement and cyber-squatting claims. Convey Compliance Systems, Inc. v. 1099 Pro., Inc., 443 F.3d 327 (4th Cir. 2006).
• Prosecution and trial of successor liability claims and in post-trial established an equitable lien on trademark portfolio. (D. Minn. 2002).
• Defense of patent infringement claim involving method of reusing containers in the semiconductor industry. (D. Minn. 2004).
• Representation of plaintiff in patent dispute over locking mechanisms. Cargo Protectors, Inc. v. American Lock Co., 92 F. Supp. 2d 926 (D. Minn. 2000).