No matter what the type of organization, playing an active role in the political decision-making process and policy formation is no longer a luxury—it is an imperative.
A coronavirus pandemic (or even the threat of such a pandemic) could easily make it more difficult for parties to perform their obligations under many types of contracts—especially contracts requiring travel or involving the delivery of goods and services. In the event that one of the parties to a contract can’t perform as a result of an actual or potential coronavirus outbreak, would the doctrine of force majeure allow them to suspend their performance or terminate the contract?
Partner, Watson Rounds
In the areas of intellectual property litigation, trademark prosecution, licensing and entertainment law, Matt Francis vigorously protects and defends valuable intellectual property rights. Matt litigates trademark, unfair competition, patent, copyright, and trade secret actions in courts throughout Nevada, and has litigated in numerous other jurisdictions as well.
Matt has prosecuted hundreds of trademarks at the federal and state level, and has participated in many opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). He also assists clients in obtaining foreign trademark registrations, and handles trademark portfolios for large institutional clients. Matt has years of experience negotiating complex trademark, patent, and copyright licenses and entertainment contracts on behalf of musicians, authors, photographers and other artists. He has also assisted clients in numerous commercial disputes and contractual negotiations.
Prior to joining Brownstein, Matt was a partner at Watson Rounds, a firm Brownstein acquired on September 1, 2015.
Represented Wynn Resorts against Resorts World in trade dress and copyright case involving world famous architectural design for Wynn properties. Case settled following TRO hearing.
Trademark counseling and prosecution for California companies that design and sell smoking devices and other goods relating to the cannabis industry.
Trademark counseling, brand protection and prosecution for a large, vertically-integrated medicinal and recreational cannabis cultivation, production and distribution company in Nevada.
Successfully upheld a jury verdict for damages and permanent injunctive relief obtained in the District of Nevada for trademark infringement and unfair competition in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Obtained summary judgment in a patent infringement action in the District of Nevada after the District Court construed all disputed claims in his favor during Markman briefing and argument.
Obtained a judgment in excess of a $1,900,000 for a client in a commercial dispute in Nevada State Court, which included awards of attorneys’ fees, costs, interest, and injunctive relief.
Represented a Grammy Award winning artist in Lanham Act dispute.
Represented a Nevada-based musical group against an internationally-renowned musical performer in a Lanham Act dispute.
Obtained a temporary restraining order and subsequent consent judgment against a trademark infringer on behalf of the Reno Air Racing Association during the 2013 Reno Air Races.
Board of Directors, High Fives Nonprofit Foundation
Pro Bono Counsel, Good Deed Hunting
Cannabis THC & CBD at the USPTO Co-presenter, CLE Presentation, State Bar of Nevada, Annual Nevada Intellectual Property Conference, October 18, 2019
The State of Affairs for Federal CBD TrademarksAuthor, Northern Nevada Business View, October 2, 2019
Companies Should Be Aware of Misleading Trademark Renewal NoticesBrownstein Client Alert, August 9, 2018
Trademarking pot in NevadaCo-author, Northern Nevada Law Journal, October 30, 2017
Intent to Use Trademark Applications – Planning for and Preparing Your Intent to UseNevada Business Magazine, November 2012
The Domain Name Was Not Taken, So How Could I Be Infringing on a Trademark? The Relationship Between Trademarks, Service Marks, and Domain NamesNevada Business Magazine, October 2010
Intellectual Property Basics for Internet-Based Startup CompaniesAuthorNorthern Nevada Business Weekly, Business Law Special 2009
Nevada Business Magazine Legal Elite, 2012
Washoe County Bar Association
Cannabis Bar Association
American Inns of Court, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter: 2000-2003