Experience

Hospitality, Gaming, and Leisure

About

For industries tied directly to the economy, protecting new technology requires careful navigation for companies’ business needs. Shifts in consumer behavior are spurring innovation and advancement in products and services ranging from dining to esports. As playing fields evolve and people look for game changing experiences, creative and comprehensive intellectual property strategies will be vital for staying relevant and competitive.

In consumer-driven markets, products and services are often only as successful as the company’s brand. Finnegan applies its full scope IP-focused legal acumen, drawn from real life experience in litigation, prosecution, and counseling to keep clients in business so they can keep making and collaborating on groundbreaking technology and innovation in industries dedicated to delivering fun and entertainment.

Understanding the law, science, and technology

Protecting advancements within these industries requires a multidisciplinary team using all the available IP tools—patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyright, and advertising. Our practice is comprised of experienced attorneys and professionals who have an in-depth understanding of the complex legal, technical, and business issues faced by companies innovating in hospitality, gaming, and leisure.

We help with:

Developing and executing patent prosecution strategies
Writing opinions and providing ongoing counseling for new and evolving products
Protecting against infringement through litigation or other dispute resolution options
Creating licensing programs
Conducting due diligence investigations
Instituting and defending post-grant review proceedings
Registering design protection
Providing trademark and copyright services and advertising protection

Comprehensive legal, technical, and strategic experience protecting innovations

Our Hospitality, Gaming, and Leisure practice includes attorneys and professionals with degrees in relevant scientific disciplines such as electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, and biology, as well as attorneys with extensive experience in brand management and protection. Many joined Finnegan after holding positions in industry, at universities, or as examiners with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Everyone in this industry

Industries

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) present novel challenges for businesses looking to invest in intellectual property. Protecting those investments and understanding the innovation landscape is where Finnegan comes in.

View Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR)

Innovation in the AR/VR space takes many forms, including branding, digital media, software, hardware, designs, and other intellectual assets. Navigating the IP landscape in this rapidly evolving marketplace is a complex endeavor.

View Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR)

Food and Beverage

It is no surprise that food and beverage companies invest substantial resources creating new products and unique ways to package and market them. Companies must protect these investments by obtaining and protecting the underlying intellectual property rights that result from their innovation.

View Food and Beverage

Gaming

Protecting IP in this ultra-competitive market is an elaborate task due to the various technologies and intellectual properties often involved with cutting-edge gaming innovation. In collaboration with clients, we develop comprehensive, holistic IP strategies designed to protect the spectrum of their technology and innovation.

View Gaming

Media

With new media platforms constantly being created, content providers and distributors are tasked with protecting their content and technology in an everchanging landscape.

View Media

Sports, Fitness, and Outdoor Recreation

From “apps” on a phone for health-conscious consumers, to data-measuring wearables for competing athletes, to esports, a wide variety of performance technology, gaming leagues, and lifestyle products have entered the mainstream. To keep pace with customer demand, companies are tasked with continually inventing, manufacturing, and branding new and innovative products.

View Sports, Fitness, and Outdoor Recreation

Experience

Represented LG Electronics in Investigation concerning certain media technologies in smartphones and televisions, home theater systems, Blu-ray disc players, and tablets. Following trial, all four asserted patents were found not infringed and/or invalid.

337-TA-882, ITC, Judge Shaw

Finnegan assists Acushnet Company, a leading manufacturer of golf equipment, clothing, and accessories, with the development and protection of its patent portfolio through strategic patent drafting and prosecution across a variety of technologies.

Advised a cycling-focused startup on the preparation and prosecution of a foundational patent application, which played a key role in its acquisition by a global leader in GPS-enabled technology across fitness, outdoor, marine, automotive, and aviation markets.

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

Represented ASSA ABLOY in a patent litigation in the Eastern District of Texas against NPE Liberty Access, who asserted three patents directed to using smart phones to unlock doors in hotels. Finnegan filed IPRs for each of the asserted patents, and obtained a favorable dismissal before the IPR institution deadline.

2:22-cv-00507, E.D. Tex., Judge Gilstrap
2:22-cv-0318, E.D. Tex., Judge Gilstrap
1:23-cv-00756, N.D. Ill., Judge Kocoras
IPR2023-00815, -00816, -00817, PTAB

Represented Maglula Ltd. in a one-of-a-kind district court litigation including patent, trademark, and copyright claims over Maglula’s assertions that Amazon sold counterfeit consumer products. After the Court issued an order (i) denying Amazon’s motion for summary judgment; (ii) finding “Amazon's attempts to avoid liability … will have minimal impact before a jury”; (iii) reflecting the Court’s belief that "not [] even the most persuasive presentation of Amazon’s evidence would make one iota of difference to a jury”; and (iv) requiring the parties to engage in mediation, the parties entered into an agreement and the case was dismissed.

1:19-cv-01570, E.D. Va., Judge O'Grady