Lawrence R. Robins

Partner

Larry Robins represents clients on a variety of intellectual property matters, with a particular focus on the litigation of trademark, copyright, and related disputes; strategic trademark portfolio development, management, and protection; and counseling on the use and protection of copyrighted works. His areas of industry and technical experience include information technology, search engines, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer goods, financial services, restaurants and clubs, furniture and design, food and beverage, and sports and sporting goods.

In his copyright practice, Mr. Robins assists clients in designing and implementing policies both to protect their own copyrightable works and to ensure the appropriate use of the works of others, including the use of open source software. Mr. Robins is an experienced copyright litigator and also assists clients in enforcing their rights via the U.S. Immigration and Customs Service.

In the trademark area, he works proactively with clients to develop and implement trademark management programs designed to maximize the return on investment in both marketing and legal expenditures relating to brand management. He represents clients in trademark/unfair competition disputes in the federal and state courts, before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and via alternative avenues of dispute resolution such as arbitration under the ICANN Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy.

In his transactional practice, Mr. Robins prepares and negotiates agreements involving computer software, hardware, e-commerce, and other technologies. The transactions have included license, distribution, development, OEM, VAR, and joint venture agreements. For more than 15 years, Mr. Robins has been involved in Internet-related transactions including co-branding, joint site development, web hosting and site development, and content licensing.

Highlights

• Served as worldwide trademark/copyright counsel for Digital Equipment Corporation, 1993-1996.
• Served as adjunct professor of trademark law at Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, 1998-2006.

Professional Recognition

• Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, 2012.

Professional Activities

• International Trademark Association
• Boston Bar Association
• Boston Patent Law Association
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Center for International Legal Studies
• International Technology Law Association

Select Publications

• "New Cases Highlight Difficulty in Obtaining IP Protection for Furniture Design," Intellectual Property Magazine, Feb. 2011.
• Coauthor. "Special Topics in Intellectual Property," ACS Symposium Series, Dec. 1, 2010.
• Coauthor. "Courts Clarify Copyright and Trademark Rights in Furniture Cases," Furniture World, Oct. 5, 2010.
• Coauthor. "What You Need to Know About Intellectual Property," Furniture World, July/Aug. 2010.
• "'Hot News' and News Organizations: Rights and Responsibilities," Editor & Publisher, July 14, 2010.
• Coauthor. "What You Need to Know About Design Patents in the Furniture Industry," Furniture World, April 9, 2010.
• Coauthor. "Copyright Protection in the Furniture Industry," Furniture World, Jan. 5, 2010.
• Coauthor. "It Ain't Easy Being Green," Law360, Sept. 19, 2008.
• "Hidden Traps in MSP Agreements," Computerworld.com, Nov. 2005.
• "A Picture Worth a Thousand Lawsuits," Managing Intellectual Property, March 2002.