Best Lawyers in Indiana, United States for Copyright Law
Practice Area Overview
Copyright applies to original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. An original work of authorship is one that is independently created and includes a minimum level of creativity. Examples of the types of works to which copyrights apply include literary works, drawings, paintings, sculptures, movies, music, video games, and other works of art. Copyright protection also applies to computer software.
Copyright protection does not protect ideas, but protects the expression of an idea. A work does not need to be registered with the Copyright Office to be afforded copyright protection. However, it must be registered with the Copyright Office to bring a lawsuit for copyright infringement. In addition, significant benefits arise from the timely registration of copyrights.
The author of a work is vested with a number of exclusive rights when copyright protection arises. These exclusive rights include, among other things, the right to reproduce (copy), adapt, display, and publicly perform the work. The author may transfer all or some of his or her exclusive rights in the work to another party. For example, the author of a novel may transfer the right to adapt a novel into a screenplay to a movie studio, while still retaining the copyright in the novel itself. Another significant component of copyright law is the area of fair use, which allows use of a copyrighted work without permission in certain limited circumstances (e.g., for the purpose of commenting on or criticizing the work).
Copyright lawyers assist clients with identifying materials that are protectable by copyright, registering copyrightable works with the United States Copyright Office, and counseling clients in the various ways in which copyrights may be acquired, protected, and exploited. Litigation also is a large part of a copyright lawyer’s practice.
Copyright law also addresses issues involving digital rights management, which are measures designed to manage digital copies of works. With the advent of digital copies, some copyright owners seek to restrict the ability to make copies of a particular work. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which is part of U.S. copyright law, prohibits circumventing measures that are designed to prevent copying of copyrighted works. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act also, among other things, provides a framework for online service providers for avoiding copyright infringement based on the acts of the online service provider’s users.
Joel D. Leviton, Co-Chair of Copyright Practice
Kristen McCallion, Co-Chair of Copyright Practice
Fish & Richardson
Select a city from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
As co-chair of the firm's Life Sciences group, Bradford Addison has successfully prosecuted more than 10,000 original and complex patents over the course of his career. With a Ph.D. in pharmacology, Brad understands even the most cutting-edge science and technology behind innovation, as well as how to realize the true value of a commercially viable patent. Brad prepares and prosecutes patent applications in the chemical and biotech areas, including pharmaceuticals, molecular biology, instrume...
For over 40 years, Spiro has earned a reputation as an aggressive, trial and appellate patent and intellectual property litigator. He has successfully won or otherwise resolved cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars and is known for seeking the most efficient and cost-effective path to either an amicable settlement or a win on the merits. Since 2006, Spiro has continuously been selected for inclusion in Indiana Super Lawyers®. He is Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property...
Randy Brown is a first-chair trial attorney involved in complex commercial litigation. For nearly three decades, Randy has defended major class actions, tried dozens of cases throughout the country, and acted as lead counsel in multiple appeals in Indiana and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Randy is chair of the firm's Litigation Department and managing partner of the firm’s Fort Wayne office. Listed among The Best Lawyers in America in multiple litigation disc...
Clients rely on Caitlin Byczko for her substantial experience before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and creative approach to trademark prosecution matters. A dedicated advocate, Caitlin is known for her straightforward and direct counsel as it relates to even the most complex legal issues. Caitlin is a member of the Intellectual Property Department, where she develops and executes global brand strategies for creating, protecting, and enforcing intellectual property assets, including tra...
Mr. Coles is an influential leader in advising businesses on all types of technology and intellectual property legal issues, including patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, intellectual property transactions, and intellectual property litigation. He has vast experience drafting and negotiating agreements with intellectual property issues and resolving disputes involving technology and intellectual property matters. He helps clients assess their intellectual property assets through consu...
A member of the firm's Intellectual Property Department and Life Sciences practice group, Angela is instrumental in procuring IP rights in the U.S. and worldwide for client inventions. Angela's practice includes preparing contractual agreements and opinions. She also performs IP due diligence in order to protect her client's interest during sales, mergers and acquisitions. In addition, Angela assists clients with procuring trademark and copyright registrations to protect their intellectual pr...
Ken advises clients in all areas of intellectual property law with an emphasis in patent matters, and infringement and validity evaluations in chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medical device arts. With a focus on intellectual property prosecution, counseling, licensing and litigation-related issues, Ken’s extensive experience includes matters involving worldwide portfolio management, diligence in licensing and acquisition, US interferences, US reissues, US reexaminations a...
Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department, Julia Gard’s practice includes searching and clearing trademarks, prosecuting domestic and international trademark applications, IP licensing, and litigation before the TTAB. At every turn, Julia serves as a mark maximizer by ensuring her client’s valuable IP assets remain intact and commercially viable. Julia’s experience ranges from searching, clearing, filing and registering trademarks, service marks and domain n...
Blake’s practice focuses on intellectual property litigation in both federal court and administrative proceedings at the USPTO. He has worked on all stages of disputes, from pre-filing investigations and enforcement letters through pleadings, motion practice, discovery, trial, and appeal. Blake also maintains active patent and trademark prosecution dockets, including serving as U.S. counsel for overseas companies and attorneys. Through searching, investigations, legal research, and writ...
Patent attorney Ron Henderson advises on domestic and international patent protection in a wide range of industries, including the healthcare industry. Having both electrical and mechanical engineering degrees, Ron understands the technology behind sophisticated products and systems and also the business objectives that such intellectual property can help achieve. By focusing on patent procurement, protection and development as a critical component of his clients’ strategic business pla...
A veteran intellectual property lawyer, Tom concentrates his practice on the strategic development and management of IP portfolios with special emphasis on providing business-focused legal advice. Tom assists clients in evaluating IP coverage, protecting core IP assets, handling Hatch-Waxman cases, domestic and international patent prosecution, and preparing infringement, non-infringement, freedom to operate, and validity opinions. Tom`s clients include major pharmaceutical, health science an...
Intellectual property litigator, counselor and problem-solver Dwight Lueck delivers solutions that best achieve his client’s objectives — whether by diplomatic negotiation, favorable settlement, trying the case in court or before the Trial and Appeal Board, or by taking proactive measures to avoid a dispute altogether. Dwight litigates intellectual property disputes involving trademarks, trade dress, domain names, copyrights and intellectual property licenses. The subject matter o...
Dan focuses primarily in litigation, licensing, mediation and IP portfolio evaluation and clearance. As a patent and trademark attorney, Dan helps clients protect their ideas and market share in the U.S. and internationally. He has represented clients in a variety of matters, including those involving industrial, medical, surgical and pharmaceutical technologies, automotive and trucking devices, wireless phone technology, computerized systems, website content, industrial chemicals, and packag...
Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Brian served as in-house counsel to an intellectual property consulting and investigations firm where he advised Fortune 1000 corporations on complex IP, anti-counterfeiting, and brand protection strategies. Brian is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and serves as Subcommittee Chair for the inaugural Data Protection Committee of the International Trademark Association (INTA). He has been appointed to the Terralex...
Bill represents clients in all phases of intellectual property litigation, including actions filed throughout the United States. His litigation experience includes matters involving software, electrical, mechanical arts, computer telephony, complex electrical circuitry, robotic navigation, aviation tracking, medical monitoring, and mobile devices. Bill also advises clients on the procurement and strategic development of trademark and patent portfolios for technology startup companies, and ass...
As a prosecutor and litigator, Charlie represents and counsels clients in various aspects of patent, trademark and copyright law. Charlie helps clients structure their internal efforts to protect their ideas, processes and products. His experience includes searching and prosecuting patent applications, clearing and registering trademarks and copyrights, licensing, and enforcing and defending intellectual property rights both in the U.S. and internationally. He represents a broad spectrum of c...
From his time in industry, and as an inventor of an issued U.S. Patent, Mike understands a client’s perspective in dealing with intellectual property matters. His practice encompasses all areas of intellectual property law, including identifying, procuring, and enforcing patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Specifically, Mike has significant experience in preparing and prosecuting medical device and mechanical patent applications in the U.S. and abroad; providing freedom-t...
A tenacious advocate and litigator, Deborah Pollack-Milgate is known for her ability to act quickly to chart the optimal path for the clients she serves. Fearless and disciplined, Deborah delivers laser sharp focus that supports and protects each client’s unique business objectives. Deborah represents businesses of all sizes and individuals in patent, trade secret, trademark and complex commercial litigation, including antitrust and contract litigation. Deborah is adept at providing her...
Dennis Schell is an experienced fractional chief intellectual property counsel with expertise in serving both startup and mature small to mid-sized companies across the United States, spanning from the East to the West Coast. In addition to that, he contributes to national and local not-for-profit leadership and governance advising roles. His background includes a lifelong passion for aviation, with prior experience as a military aviator and control systems engineer. His key strengths lie in ...
Chuck helps businesses develop, protect, and manage their intellectual property portfolios both domestically and internationally. For nearly 20 years, Chuck has obtained patent protection for his clients’ inventions in a wide range of technologies including those related to automotive, hybrid vehicle, lubricant filtration, control systems, electronic, computer/software, material handling, diagnostic, and medical device technologies. He knows that a client’s intellectual property p...
As a leader, Scott serves on the firm’s management committee and as a member of the firm's IT Oversight Committee. As a practitioner, Scott prepares and prosecutes patent applications through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and counsels clients on the protection and development of IP. Scott is known for his experience in creating the strategies his clients need to succeed in their respective markets. Having been involved in patent portfolio development and management for a ...
Todd Vare is a trial and appellate advocate focused on protecting his client’s intellectual property and counseling on their data security and privacy needs. Todd is client-focused, staunchly loyal to those he serves, and passionate about the law and innovation. He is at his best where advocacy, business and competition intersect. Todd advocates for his clients in complex, high-stakes litigation involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, technology licensing, software dev...
David A. W. Wong is a partner with Barnes & Thornburg where he is a member of the Intellectual Property Department and Chairman of the Internet and Technology Law Group. David's practice focuses on Internet law, technology, media, intellectual property counseling, risk management, prosecution, policing and enforcement. He regularly advises clients on commercial and intellectual property matters, such as trademark, copyright, defamation, trade dress, advertising, right of publicity, trade ...
Josh specializes in U.S. and foreign patent preparation and prosecution for a variety of technologies including tissue engineering, stem cells, implantable medical devices, and genetic sequence listings. He assists clients in evaluating IP coverage, protecting core IP assets, domestic and international patent prosecution, and preparing infringement, non-infringement, freedom to operate, and validity opinions. Josh’s clients include health science and medical device companies, retail bus...
Laine Cadwallader works with clients to identify and achieve their intellectual property goals. Using her technical background and previous industry experience, she works to understand the larger picture of clients’ innovations and deliver valuable protection of their ideas. Laine’s practice focuses on drafting and prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on behalf of clients, as well as overseeing foreign prosecution of clients’ applicatio...
Analytical, forward-thinking and focused on finding ways to improve a process or circumstance, Francis “Rocky” Cislak advocates for his clients’ intellectual property interests. He has a deep understanding of how trademarks and copyrights impact a business’ branding and marketing strategy. Rocky helps compile trademark applications and with gathering data, arguments, and specimens necessary to ensure trademark applications are registerable with the U.S. Patent and Trad...
Scott concentrates his practice on all aspects of patent and trademark prosecution and litigation. Prior to joining Woodard, Scott gained valuable experience working for a startup software company conducting corporate and intellectual property legal research to determine the how to best protect the company’s IP assets. He also worked for a major pharmaceutical company conducting patent landscaping research and meeting with scientists to determine patentability of their work. While pursu...
Shane’s practice encompasses all aspects of patent and trademark preparation and prosecution to protect clients’ innovations from competitors. He prepares patent applications in the United States and foreign jurisdictions covering a variety of technologies, including biochemical, chemical, medical device, mechanical, and software. In addition, Shane assists clients with trademark prosecution and clearance, including investigating search results and preparing risk analysis for new ...
With a background in Mechanical Engineering, Andrew brings analytical thinking and complex problem solving to his patent and trademark prosecution and litigation practice. He gained valuable experience while pursuing his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering as a research assistant focusing on computational fluid dynamics and the study of combustion properties of solid fuel rockets. He also worked in patent research and competitive analysis for a major health and nutrition c...
Chris focuses his practice primarily on intellectual property litigation. Prior to joining Woodard Emhardt, he gained valuable experience in Chicago assisting throughout all phases of the litigation process for clients both big and small. This included drafting briefs in support of and in opposition to motions, producing claim charts in preparation of Markman hearings, construing intrinsic patent evidence, and evaluating extrinsic scientific literature. Chris’s passion for science and t...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.