Mr. Douglass helps businesses and individuals protect their brands and add value by acquiring, enforcing, and protecting their intellectual property rights. He concentrates his practice in litigation, licensing, and intellectual property prosecution.
Mr. Douglass litigates trademark, trade dress, copyright, and design patent claims in federal courts across the country. He represents companies and individuals acting as both rightsholders asserting their rights and as defendants accused of infringing others' rights. He has defended clients against temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, investigated and prepared lawsuits, and advised clients in all aspects of the litigation process, from complaint through discovery and summary judgement.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Douglass has extensive experience advising companies in trademark, copyright, and patent licensing agreements; non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements; asset sales; software and end-user licenses; and other intellectual property transactions. He is better able to advise his clients by maintaining a diverse practice between litigating and licensing.
Mr. Douglass assists clients in a wide range of industries, including film and television, music, entertainment; beer and spirits; food and restaurants; professional services, financial services, manufacturing, retail services, and pharmaceutical products.
Beyond litigation, Mr. Douglass advises clients on the adoption and protection of brands and registration at the U.S. Patent and Trademark office (USPTO). With years of experience prosecuting trademarks at the USPTO and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, he is able to help clients anticipate obstacles and plan for brand growth and product launches to maximize the value of their intellectual property. He also helps clients through online domain name enforcement and Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notices and by protecting clients' works and creative expressions in the form of copyright registration at the U.S. Copyright office.
During law school, Mr. Douglass clerked for the Honorable John Bryant in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee and the Honorable Charmiane Claxton in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He also clerked for the general counsel of one of the largest tobacco companies in the world and worked for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship.
Before attending law school, Mr. Douglass worked as a legislative aide to two United States Senators, studied Arabic in the Middle East, and traveled in Africa and the Middle East.