Patrick J. Rodgers

Associate

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Patrick J. Rodgers

Associate

+1 202 408 4374 +1 202 408 4374
patrick.rodgers@finnegan.com patrick.rodgers@finnegan.com

901 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001-4413

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Patrick Rodgers focuses on trademark and false advertising litigation. He routinely litigates cases in federal district courts around the country as well as before the Trademark Trial Appeal Board (TTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for some of the world’s most well-known brands in a broad range of industries, including sports and fitness, apparel, health and wellness, and other consumer goods. Patrick has worked on winning appellate and summary judgment briefs and requests for injunctive relief and has represented clients in consumer class-action litigations.

Patrick’s practice includes trademark prosecution, litigation, and false advertising. He handles opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB and advises clients as to the selection, maintenance, registration, enforcement, and portfolio management of trademarks in the United States and abroad. Patrick is also involved in cases before the federal trial courts and the TTAB. He has been recognized as a Next Generation lawyer by World Trademark Review (WTR).

During law school, Patrick worked as a law clerk for Finnegan, served as the director of trademarks of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association at Georgetown University, and both competed in and coached the Saul Lefkowitz Trademark Moot Court Competition.

Et Cetera

Coauthor. "Trademark Infringement Remedies Treatise - Chapters 2 & 13," Bloomberg BNA, 2018.
Coauthor. "How to Win Big," Intellectual Property Magazine, 2016.

Experience

After a four-day trial, secured a jury ruling for Under Armour that Armorina’s use of the ARMORINA mark constitutes trademark infringement, unfair competition, and trademark dilution.

1:19-cv-02417, D. Md., Judge Boardman

Secured a victory on summary judgment for Dean Guitars and the Estate of Dimebag Darrell Abbott in a hotly-contested copyright infringement and unfair competition case, with multiple Lanham Act, invasion of privacy, and state law claims. The case involved one of the world’s most popular heavy metal guitarists—Darrell Abbott of the band Pantera—and a lightning bolt graphic on his “Dean from Hell” guitar, which for decades has been an inseparable part of Abbott’s persona and likeness. The 11th Circuit affirmed the ruling.

8:17-cv-01795, M.D. Fla., Judges Jung, Honeywell
2:17-cv-03027, C.D. Cal., Judges Walter, Wilner
19-10013, 11th Cir., Judges Wilson, Carnes, Branch

Obtained affirmance from the Federal Circuit of a Finnegan trial victory before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) in cancellation proceeding over FUSION mark for energy drinks.

19-1132, Fed. Cir., Judges Prost, Moore, Wallach
Opposition No. 92059437, TTAB, Judge McCormack

After a full trial before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, on an appeal from a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) case, obtained a ruling that the parties’ VAGISIL and VAGISAN marks conflict and that “VAGISIL is a famous mark that has attained substantial commercial strength.”

1:17-cv-00935, E.D. Va., Judge Ellis

Insights

INCONTESTABLE® Blog

Basquiat Made a Name for Himself in Art, but Not in Alcoholic Beverages Basquiat Made a Name for Himself in Art, but Not in Alcoholic Beverages

July 9, 2024

INCONTESTABLE® Blog

SCOTUS: Trademark Content Restrictions Are Not Getting Smaller as Supreme Court Holds TRUMP TOO SMALL Cannot Be Registered SCOTUS: Trademark Content Restrictions Are Not Getting Smaller as Supreme Court Holds TRUMP TOO SMALL Cannot Be Registered

June 20, 2024

INCONTESTABLE® Blog

S.D.Tex. Finds Tequila Marks CASA AZUL and CLASE AZUL Not Confusingly Similar S.D.Tex. Finds Tequila Marks CASA AZUL and CLASE AZUL Not Confusingly Similar

May 17, 2024

Articles

TTAB Ruling Raises Foreign-Language Mark Questions TTAB Ruling Raises Foreign-Language Mark Questions

May 14, 2024

Law360

INCONTESTABLE® Blog

S.D. Florida Says That “Legacy Reunion of Earth, Wind & Fire Alumni” Is Not Entitled to Nominative Fair Use of Original Band’s Name S.D. Florida Says That “Legacy Reunion of Earth, Wind & Fire Alumni” Is Not Entitled to Nominative Fair Use of Original Band’s Name

May 3, 2024

INCONTESTABLE® Blog

Lack of FDA Approval for Uncle Bud Means No Bona Fide Intent to Use Medical CBD Goods in Legal Commerce Lack of FDA Approval for Uncle Bud Means No Bona Fide Intent to Use Medical CBD Goods in Legal Commerce

April 19, 2024

Professional Recognition

"The team of Doug Rettew and Patrick Rodgers were great to work with. Doug was highly engaged at every step of our trademark litigation. Patrick is very talented at brief writing and discovery planning."

News

Award/Ranking

Finnegan Earns Top Rankings in the 2026 Legal 500 U.S. Guide Finnegan Earns Top Rankings in the 2026 Legal 500 U.S. Guide

June 10, 2026

The Legal 500

Award/Ranking

In the 2026 World Trademark Review 1000, Finnegan Called “The Best of the Best” In the 2026 World Trademark Review 1000, Finnegan Called “The Best of the Best”

February 2, 2026

World Trademark Review

Commentary

MGA v. OMG Girlz: Will Fourth Jury Trial Raise Stakes Over Punitive Damages?

November 24, 2025

World Intellectual Property Review

Commentary

MGA Seeks Review to Redefine Punitive Damages in IP Cases MGA Seeks Review to Redefine Punitive Damages in IP Cases

October 22, 2025

Daily Journal

Award/Ranking

Finnegan Remains a Top Tier Firm in the 2025 Legal 500 Rankings Finnegan Remains a Top Tier Firm in the 2025 Legal 500 Rankings

June 11, 2025

The Legal 500

Media Mention

TTAB: KINGS ARMOR Mark for Various Apparel Products Succumbs to Cancellation Challenge TTAB: KINGS ARMOR Mark for Various Apparel Products Succumbs to Cancellation Challenge

April 3, 2025

IP Law Daily

Admissions and Education

Admissions

District of Columbia
Florida

U.S. District Court, M.D. Florida
U.S. District Court, D. Maryland
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Education

Georgetown University Law Center: J.D., 2018

University of Miami: B.B.A., Business Law and Management, 2015

Patrick's Practices

Global IP Enforcement, Litigation, and Trials: Advertising; Trademark Litigation and Trials; Trademark Oppositions and Cancellations
Trademark and Brand Management: Advertising; Trademark Counseling and Prosecution

Patrick's Industries

AI, Electronics, and Information Technology: Web3
Consumer Goods and Services: Consumer Products; Food and Beverage
Hospitality, Gaming, and Leisure: Gaming; Sports, Fitness, and Outdoor Recreation
Transportation and Logistics: Aerospace, Aviation, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)