Michael S. Denniston

Partner

Mike Denniston is Vice-Chair of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. His practice focuses on advising clients concerning trademark, copyright, trade secret, franchise, and related intellectual property and competition issues, as well as litigating those issues. As the lawyer with primary responsibility for trademark portfolios for several clients, he works with clients on securing, maintaining, and licensing their trademarks, as well as other intellectual property assets.

Mike also has an active intellectual property and competition trial practice. His litigation experience includes prosecuting and defending requests for temporary restraining orders in trademark and false advertising cases, handling complex multiparty and multidistrict copyright litigation, handling trade secret litigation, representing parties before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in opposition and cancellation proceedings, and prosecuting domain name dispute arbitrations under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Procedure.

Notable Matters
  • New Franchisor Client (2015) – Coordinated the launch of a new franchisor in the personal care industry
  • Fitzgibbons v. Mayer Electric (N.D. Ala. 2014) - Represented defendant in copyright infringement case
  • Swift Fly Fishing v. Pure Fishing (TTAB 2014) – Represented registrant in trademark cancellation proceeding. Obtained involuntary dismissal
  • Milo’s Franchise Company v. Milo’s Tea Company (Jefferson County, Alabama 2013) – Represented declaratory judgment plaintiff in trademark dispute
  • US Beverage v. 4U2U Brands (2013) – Represented defendant in arbitration over distribution agreement
  • Harbar Homes v. Harris & Doyle (N.D. Ala. 2012) – Represented defendant in architectural works copyright infringement case
  • CertainTeed Corp. v. Energen Corp. (S.D.N.Y 2010) – Trademark infringement declaratory judgment case
  • Hygia Health Services v. Masimo Corp. (N.D. Ala. 2009) – Trademark and patent infringement case
  • Hoover Toyota v. Serra Toyota (N.D. Ala. 2008) – False advertising case filed under Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act
  • Alabama Credit Union v. Credit Union of Alabama (N.D. Ala. 2008) -- Trademark infringement matter