Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.

Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. offers its clients a wide variety of experience and expertise in intellectual property matters including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, computer law and Internet law. The Firm's experience includes assisting clients with state and federal trademark and copyright registrations, as well as the transfer, licensing, and enforcement of copyright, trademark, and trade dress rights. The Firm has successfully protected clients' copyright, trademark and patent rights through litigation. Additionally the Firm counsels clients with respect to the establishment of systems for protecting trade secrets, the development of confidentiality agreements and the drafting and implementation of non-compete agreements. The Firm has advised clients with respect to computer acquisitions, software licensing issues, the acquisition and transfer of Internet domain names as well as other areas of Internet and computer law. Working closely with the Technology and E-Commerce Practice Group, the Intellectual Property Group has assisted clients in the transfer and acquisition of cutting-edge technologies and technology-related businesses.

Accomplishments of the Firm in the area of intellectual property include:

• Representation of several Mississippi-based international manufacturers before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, federal and state courts in numerous registration, opposition, and infringement matters.

• Serving as attorneys for a nationwide hotel system in successful enforcement of its rights against several trademark infringers.

• Serving as local counsel to a major video game manufacturer in trademark litigation.

• Chairing a subcommittee charged with drafting recently-enacted Federal trademark dilution amendments.

• Defense of several businesses against claims of computer software misuse and copyright infringement.

• Successful defense of a Mississippi gaming client in a trademark infringement proceeding.

• Successful representation of a national food franchiser in trademark/ franchise litigation against a former franchisee.

• Representation of several large Mississippi banks in their computer hardware and software acquisitions.

• Representation of a New York corporation in litigation to enforce and protect trade secret rights.

• Representation of numerous creators of computer software in obtaining copyright and trademark registration, and subsequent licensing of the software.

• Registration and transfer of domain names.

• Representation of various litigation clients in prosecuting and defending patent litigation.