Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch 2021 badge, Michael S. PalmiscianoMike’s practice focuses on the clearance, prosecution, enforcement and licensing of trademarks and copyrights. Mike regularly advises clients on domestic and international trademark portfolio management, copyright protection and fair use and domain name acquisitions and disputes. He has significant experience advising digital media and entertainment clients, including on pre-publication clearance of editorial and branded video content and the use of trademarks and titles in creative works and advertising campaigns. Mike’s experience also includes drafting and negotiating software, data and merchandise license agreements and conducting intellectual property diligence for transactional matters.

Representative Client Work

  • Represents clients in U.S. and international trademark clearance and prosecution, including in the media, consumer products, apparel, software, consulting and professional services fields
  • Enforces trademark and copyright rights against infringers worldwide, including through cease and desist letters, trademark opposition and cancellation actions and UDRP proceedings
  • Advises Vice Media and other publishers on clearance of news and documentary video content for television and digital broadcast, including copyright fair use, trademark, publicity, privacy and First Amendment issues
  • Provides title clearance opinions and copyright fair use opinions to media and entertainment clients for E&O insurance purposes
  • Provides pre-publication review of advertising and white label content for brands including Google, IBM, Nike, Adidas, Vans, Geico, L’Oréal, Harley Davidson and Callaway
  • Prosecuted over 1,500 copyright applications for video, literary and visual arts works with the U.S. Copyright Office
  • Represented A.T. Cross Company, a writing instrument company, in its sale of a global trademark portfolio of over 850 marks in 100 countries
  • Represented Challengeme Esports GmbH in its acquisition of an esports tournament platform and associated technology
  • Represented a global media company as intellectual property counsel in connection with the negotiation and documentation of a $250 million credit facility
  • Represented filmmaker Ian McFarland in copyright fair use, license and release review for the Showtime feature-length music documentary, The Godfathers of Hardcore

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Boston College Law School
  • B.A., Boston College

Community Engagement

  • International Trademark Association
  • New York Intellectual Property Law Association
    • Member, Copyright Committee
    • Member, Trademark Committee
  • Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
  • New York City Bar Association

Awards & Honors

  • "Ones to Watch," Best Lawyers in America®, Intellectual Property Law (2021)
  • "Rising Star" Massachusetts Super Lawyers, (2018-2020)
  • First Place, 2012 Association of SEC Alumni Writing Competition

Seminars & Presentations

Practices

Industries

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