Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation

John C. Ulin is an intellectual property litigator in Arnold & Porter LLP's Los Angeles office, whose practice focuses on copyright and trademark law. Mr. Ulin has served as first chair in several recent intellectual property trials and is experienced in all aspects of civil litigation.

In his copyright practice, Mr. Ulin principally represents media and entertainment companies and sports leagues in their efforts to prevent unauthorized exploitation of recorded music and video and live video streams, particularly over the Internet. He has also represented companies in the publishing, fashion, and toy industries in various copyright matters. Mr. Ulin is a frequent speaker on developments in copyright law and the prevention of digital piracy.

Mr. Ulin is a leader in trademark litigation and anti-counterfeiting strategy. He has represented clients in a variety of industries in nearly 200 trademark lawsuits in dozens of federal courts throughout the country. His innovative approaches to counterfeiting enforcement, in particular, have resulted in several leading judicial opinions. Mr. Ulin also counsels clients on anti-counterfeiting strategy and leads a team of attorneys that support investigation and prosecution of counterfeit and gray market traffickers on the West Coast. He is a frequent speaker on anti-counterfeiting enforcement.

Mr. Ulin enjoys a rich pro bono practice focusing primarily on civil rights issues. He is a recipient of the ACLU's Voting Rights Award and California Common Cause's Pro Bono Award.

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Ulin served as judicial law clerk to Hon. Wm. Matthew Byrne, Jr., US District Court for the Central District of California (1992-93), and Hon. Ferdinand F. Fernandez, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1993-94).

Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation Representative Matters

Intellectual Property Litigation

• Represented media and entertainment companies and sports leagues in litigation concerning unauthorized streaming of copyrighted television broadcasts over the Internet. WPIX v. ivi.com, US District Court for the Southern District of New York and US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; CBS v. FilmOn.com, US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
• Represented jeans wear designer in multiple lawsuits challenging use of copyrighted and trademarked stitching and design elements. Chrome Hearts LLC v. Sweet People Apparel, Inc., United States District Court for the Central District of California; RCRV, Inc. v. J.L.J., Inc., United States District Court for the Central District of California.
• Represented tobacco company in over 150 federal trademark actions in more than 25 courts throughout the country against traffickers in counterfeit and contraband cigarettes. Served as lead counsel at trials in the US District Courts for the Western District of Texas and Eastern District of New York.
• Represented music publishing company in litigation concerning unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted music videos on a user-generated content website. UMG v. DivX, US District Court for the Central District of California.
• Represented software company (including serving as co-lead trial counsel) in litigation concerning an enterprise resource planning software program. Fortune Fashions Industries LLC v. Sunrise Technologies and Microsoft Corp., United States District Court for the Central District of California.
• Served as lead trial counsel for toy manufacturer in trademark litigation concerning use of a trademark in the color yellow for water slide toys and continue in advising the client in connection with protection of the brand and enforcement of the judgment. SLB Toys USA, Inc. v. Wham-O, Inc.; Wham-O, Inc. v. Manley Toys, Ltd., US District Court for the Central District of California.
• Represented pharmaceutical company in Lanham Act litigation against other companies marketing competing drugs that lacked FDA approval to sell. Mutual Pharmaceutical Co. v. Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., US District Court for the Central District of California.

Intellectual Property Counseling

• Advised media company about enforcement options against entity seeking to stream television network broadcasts over the Internet without authorization.
• Developed anti-counterfeiting program for international manufacturer of industrial chemicals and water treatment systems.
• Advised major sports leagues on enforcement options against websites that facilitate unauthorized streaming of live broadcasts of sporting events over the Internet.