Michael C. Mason Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Currently serving as Senior Trademark Counsel for the firm with focuses on global trademark clearance, prosecution, licensing, enforcement, dispute resolution, and litigation before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

My practice consists of many areas of Intellectual Property with an emphasis on Global Trademark Clearance, Prosecution, Licensing, Enforcement, Dispute Resolution and Litigation, including Trade Dress, Trade Secrets, Domain Names, Copyrights and Advertising. I understand the value of IP and ways to use it to allow informed business decisions, to assess and maximize an IP portfolio’s value, and to avoid potential costly litigation. My goals are to maintain my outstanding success rate in obtaining IP protection and delivering strong, on-budget legal counsel that enables solid business strategy, innovative products, robust technology, and increased company value.

Counsel clients regarding business and IP issues with a specialization in trademark clearance, prosecution, maintenance, enforcement, dispute resolution, licensing, internet and litigation matters; litigate before the US District Courts and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; advise clients on business matters ranging from entity formation to contract review to conflict resolution; structure and supervise legally enforced seizures of counterfeit trademark goods; counsel clients regarding domain name litigation risks; strategize and advise regarding the clearance of advertising and marketing materials; analyze and defend copyright infringement demands; advise in the areas of trade dress, trade secret and right of publicity.  Contract trademark attorney for Walmart. Conducted trademark clearance, reviewed advertisements, drafted opinion letters and counseled in-house marketing clients regarding trademark risk, availability, protection and maintenance.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Atlanta, Ga

Supervised the more complex intellectual property matters for the firm; counseled clients regarding trademark clearance, prosecution, enforcement, licensing, internet and litigation matters; advised in the areas of copyright, trade dress, trade secret and advertising clearance; defended clients in the area of internet domain name infringement; strategized and advised regarding the implementation of business structure and marketing plans for corporate clients; advised in areas of business formation, business litigation, vendor agreements and bankruptcy.

Counseled clients as to the clearance of proposed marks, registration of cleared marks, and maintenance of registered marks, domestically and abroad; conducted preliminary trademark searches; drafted cease and desist letters; reviewed documentaries for potential copyright issues; advised clients in the area of Internet domain name infringement and trademark rights in cyberspace.

Developed, managed and maintained several global trademark portfolios; counseled clients concerning the availability, registration and proper use of trademarks; analyzed trademark search reports and drafted opinion letters regarding availability and protectability; drafted cease and desist letters; counseled clients regarding opposition and cancellation proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and regarding potential trademark infringement actions; performed trademark audits to assess and maximize company IP portfolio value; conducted and managed trademark due diligence; counseled clients concerning intellectual property acquisitions and divestitures; analyzed advertising and promotional marketing risks; advised clients in the area of domain name infringement and trademark rights in cyberspace; advised on dispute resolution through settlement agreements, co-existence agreements, and licensing agreements.  Served in the capacity of an interim in-house trademark attorney for The Coca-Cola Company. Conducted trademark clearance, reviewed advertisements, drafted opinion letters and counseled in-house marketing clients regarding trademark risk, availability, protection and maintenance.

Served in the capacity of an interim in-house trademark attorney for The Coca-Cola Company during the time period of July 2000 to March 2001 while counsel at King & Spalding. Conducted trademark clearance, reviewed advertisements, drafted opinion letters and counseled in-house marketing clients regarding trademark availability and protection.

Examined trademark applications, as received from entities worldwide, based on use, intent-to-use, and foreign registration; conduct preliminary review of applications, evaluate facts and determine questions of law; recommended approval of a mark for publication for opposition and rendered the final decisions of the Office; drafted briefs and represented the Office in ex parte appeals before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; served as the sole Examining Attorney and expert on “RAINFOREST” related trademark applications.ACTING MANAGING SENIOR TRADEMARK ATTORNEY - served as an expert on trademark law and industry practices; served as an expert for the more complex and difficult trademark applications; formulated Office examination policy; supervised all examining attorneys within the law office; reviewed the work of lower graded attorneys; and conducted training for the new examining attorneys. TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD DETAILEE - conducted legal research and drafted proposed decisions on motions filed in trademark opposition, cancellation and concurrent use proceedings; drafted proposed final decisions, after trial, in trademark inter partes proceedings.

J.D., Law

Activities and Societies: President - Black Law Students Association

Ba With Distinction, Psychology, Sociology

Intermediate Honors