Practice Focus

Suzanne Wilson specializes in representing Internet and technology companies, as well as consumer products companies and other businesses, in commercial and intellectual property litigation at the trial court and appellate levels in both state and federal courts. As a result of Ms. Wilson's extensive experience representing Internet e-commerce and technology companies, she has a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between intellectual property laws and the ever-evolving landscape of the Internet.

Ms. Wilson also represents clients across a variety of industries in matters involving trademark and copyright infringement, unfair competition, false advertising, trade secret, and right of publicity issues. Ms. Wilson also frequently defends clients against false advertising claims, including class action lawsuits, alleging violation of California's Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act.

Before litigation occurs, Ms. Wilson provides strategic counseling to clients on trademark, copyright, trade secret, right of publicity and unfair competition matters. Among other matters, she advises clients on a broad range of advertising issues, including comparative advertising, advertising claims of technical performance, trademark fair use, and advertising copy clearance. In 2010, Ms. Wilson was named one of the "75 Leading IP Litigators" and one of the "Top Women Litigators" in California by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.

Representative Matters

• Obtained summary judgment for software publisher on fraud and contract claims arising out of the implementation of a customized computer system.
• Represented digital music provider in putative class action alleging copyright infringement on behalf of a class of songwriters.  Subsequently obtained settlement of all claims.
• Represented luxury brand clothing manufacturer in trademark infringement action arising out of use of client's trademarks on popular children's footwear.
• Represented Internet software company against false advertising claims brought on behalf of nationwide class of business customers under California's Unfair Competition Law.  Negotiated and supervised nationwide class settlement.
• Defended Internet domain name registrar against false advertising claims arising out of nationwide sales promotion filed by consumers and competitors in federal and state courts in multiple states, including class actions filed by consumers and a group of competitors.  Negotiated and supervised nationwide consumer class settlement.
• Defeated class certification motion at trial court and on appeal in case alleging violations of the California Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Legal Remedies Act based on defendant's alleged fraudulent omissions in its billing guidelines and practices.
• Defeated preliminary injunction motion alleging trademark infringement brought against an instant messaging service provider.  Supervised the design and execution of consumer survey regarding alleged reverse consumer confusion.  Subsequently obtained settlement of claims.
• Represented mobile gaming company in false advertising case brought by competitor.  Supervised survey design and execution of survey of mobile gaming consumers.
• Represented popular chain of coffeehouses in trademark disputes against terminated licensee.
• Represented video game publisher against claims of trade secret misappropriation, idea submission appropriation, and fraud. 
• Obtained multimillion dollar judgment for large computer company against defendant engaged in wide-spread spamming and spyware activities using the company's trademarks and copyrights.
• Obtained injunction and judgment for Internet security company in trademark infringement and false advertising action against a competitor engaged in misleading comparative advertising.
• Defended nonprofit human rights group against trademark infringement claims filed by large news organization.
• ArguedSeven Words LLC v. Network Solutions, Inc., 260 F.3d 1089 (9^th Cir. 2001), dismissing plaintiff's civil rights and unfair competition claims on mootness grounds.
• Obtained injunction and seizure orders on behalf of comedian in case alleging trademark and copyright infringement, as well as right of publicity claims, against t-shirt vendors. Foxworthy v. Custom Tees, 879 F. Supp. 1200 (N.D.Ga. 1995).
• Represented large trademark owners and individuals in proceedings to obtain control of Internet domain names comprised of the clients' trademarks or personal names.