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About CVMS
Columbia Sportswear
Innovation naturally invites imitation - just ask Columbia Sportswear, a leading name in outdoor wear. For more than a quarter century, Columbia Sportswear has turned to CVMS to protect its intellectual property assets, acquiring and enforcing trademark registrations worldwide, and winning judgments against those who would seek to profit from Columbia Sportswear's hard work.
Establishing and Defending Patents at Home and Abroad
CVMS helped Cascade Microtech secure more than 100 domestic and foreign patents for its breakthrough semiconductor measurement solutions. The firm successfully litigated Cascade's patents three times, going up against large IP law firms in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. When foreign competitors attacked Cascade's European products and patents, CVMS took the fight to Münich and defeated each attack.
IP Protection Becomes a Vital Tool for Leatherman
In 1985, Leatherman Tool Group Inc. retained CVMS to protect its multipurpose tool. Leatherman had only one patent, but CVMS used innovative trade dress law to protect Leatherman's flagship products. CVMS acted aggressively on Leatherman's behalf to build a portfolio of more than 200 patents, and worked closely with tool designers on new products. In the meantime, infringers were successfully discouraged through demand letters, lawsuits, customs inspections and seizure orders.
Patent Enforcement in the Sporting Goods Industry
Client Donald Kudlacek created a better archery bow and obtained a patent … and then came to CVMS when 15 archery companies copied his invention and refused to pay royalties. CVMS won a favorable verdict against one of the largest infringers, who was represented by nationally known trial counsel; soon all of the others fell into line, paying licensing fees totaling seven figures to Mr. Kudlacek over the life of the patent.
Protecting Bend Research from an 'Inside Job' Infringement
When Bend Research developed a membrane separation process to recover isopropanol from waste water, CVMS prepared and prosecuted the first of a dozen domestic and foreign patents … and subsequently won a rare preliminary injunction and then a permanent injunction against a consulting engineer who had helped Bend Research develop the process and then started his own competing company using the same technology.
Turning Away Attacks from Competitors
Soloflex, Inc., a well-known manufacturer of the home exercise machines, developed an advertising approach that the public came to associate with the Soloflex identity. When NordicTrack put its own home exercise machine on the market, it copied the Soloflex advertising scheme and simultaneously made false statements about the effectiveness of the Soloflex machine. CVMS sued NordicTrack on behalf of Soloflex for false advertising, unfair competition and copyright infringement. CVMS obtained a settlement that was very favorable to Soloflex.
Defending Clients' Longstanding Trademark Rights
Tillamook Country Smoker marketed jerky and other processed meat products under the Tillamook Country Smoker trademark while co-existing with nearby Tillamook County Creamery Association, maker of Tillamook brand cheeses. After decades in business, the creamery demanded that its neighbor stop using "Tillamook" as part of its name. In federal court, CVMS presented overwhelming evidence of a long-standing pattern of co-existence, cooperation and sales between the neighbors. The firm obtained a summary judgment ruling confirming Tillamook Country Smoker's rights to continue using its name based on Tillamook Creamery's long delay in objecting to the use of the mark. The firm obtained a further summary judgement ruling holding that Tillamook Country smoker's trademarks are valid and should be placed on the federal register.
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