John C. Blattner

I practice brand creation and protection law, including trademark counseling, clearance, registration, maintenance, and enforcement both in the U.S. and overseas. My pre-legal career in publishing, marketing, and nonprofit development enables me to bring real-world business experience into my practice, which includes the fashion, financial services, cosmetics, sporting goods, automotive, technology, pharma, publishing, and other industries. I represent U.S. clients doing business in Europe, Latin America, China and the Pacific Rim, and elsewhere; as well as global clients doing business in the United States. I also assist clients with copyright, internet, licensing, and antitrust matters.

I have extensive experience in IP enforcement, including a wide range of patent, trademark, copyright, and antitrust litigation in state and federal courts; appellate litigation in state and federal courts of appeals, including the Federal Circuit; and opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

• Represent state government agency in applying for new generic top-level internet domain (gTLD)
• Trademark counsel to U.S. financial services company, three U.S. magazine publishing companies, U.S. cable television provider, New York-based men’s personal care manufacturer, Italian fashion house, U.K.-based pharmaceutical company.
• Represent Italian fashion house in trademark litigation in U.S. District Court, Oregon, and in more than fifty opposition and cancellation proceedings in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
• Trademark clearance for major U.S.-based internet/technology company and for major U.S. retail chain.
• Defended national cable TV network in trademark infringement action in W.D. Mich.
• Defended U.S. auto supplier in multi-front patent infringement dispute in E.D. Mich., W.D. Mich., and Federal Circuit.
• International trademark portfolio management for custom golf club manufacturer.
• Defended U.S. auto supplier in patent infringement/antitrust action in S.D. Texas.
  
  

• International Trademark Association: Publications Committee
• American Bar Association (Intellectual Property and Appellate sections)
• State Bar of Michigan (Intellectual Property and Appellate sections)

• Adjunct Professor, Michigan State University College of Law: Trademarks and Unfair Competition, 2005-present. 
• Book and magazine publisher/editor, freelance writer, 1975-94; author, co-author, or editor of 26 books and numerous articles on topics including public policy, biomedical ethics, management psychology.