Intellectual Property

In today's business world, more and more companies have come to realize and value the important intellectual property assets that are part of their day-to-day business. One does not need to be in a high-technology or biotechnology business to have intellectual property assets. For example, a customer list from any business can contain information which may qualify as trade secret under the law, subjecting the information to confidentiality that prohibits its use by those outside of the company.

Joanna Mendoza has represented high-tech and biotech companies in handling their intellectual property assets since 1993. She has also represented a number of artists, inventors and businesses that are not in the technology industries, some of whom have had unique issues arise with regard to trademark registration, licensing and infringement, copyright licensing and infringement, trade secret misappropriation concerns and related unfair competition issues. Her unique background in both the transactional and litigation practice areas of intellectual property, allow her to bring practical perspectives to both aspects that are helpful to identify issues and resolve disputes.

Intellectual Property Litigation

Intellectual property disputes and litigation can take on many forms and involve highly technical subject matter and procedures. Joanna Mendoza has litigated intellectual property cases in both federal and state courts for many years, and has been involved in jury trials involving complex technology. Her practice includes appearances before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board (TTAB) and domain name disputes using the ICANN Dispute Resolution procedures.

She has experience handling the prosecution and defense of licensing and contractual claims, ownership disputes, infringement, and misappropriation claims in areas such as copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secret. Nearly all such cases involve assertions of unfair competition as well as the handling of confidential and proprietary information for which the trade secret privilege will apply. The complexities associated with injunctions and protective orders are standard in such cases, and Joanna Mendoza has a great deal of experience addressing the issues associated with these procedural remedies.

Claims frequently litigated by Malovos & Mendoza include:

  • Misappropriation of trade secrets and conversion
  • Copyright infringement
  • Trademark, trade dress and service mark infringement
  • Common law mark protection
  • Unfair competition and anti-trust claims
  • Unfair business practices, including misleading advertising
  • Product disparagement
  • Patent ownership disputes and infringement
  • Licensing and related contractual disputes
  • Employer/employee invention rights
  • Injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders

Intellectual Property Transactions

Malovos & Mendoza has the experience to handle many different types of intellectual property transactional matters, including technology transfer through licensing and assignment of copyrighted materials, trademarks, patents and trade secrets. Copyright and trademark registration and related services are also provided, and the firm is willing to assist its clients with all related advice and assistance to protect these unique business assets.

For an appointment to discuss any intellectual property litigation or transactional matter, contact Joanna Mendoza at (916) 974-8600.

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