Overview

Kieran is Chair of our firm.  He litigates trademark, copyright and product labeling matters in federal and state courts and counsels clients regarding trademark clearance, registration, prosecution, licensing and protection.  He also represents brand owners before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 

Kieran’s clients include fashion, footwear, hair care and skin care companies, publishers, professional sports marketing and merchandising companies, restaurants, food and beverage manufacturers, and companies in the retail industry. Among others he has represented Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., QVC, Inc., HIGH TIMES Magazine, Edible Arrangements, Vogue International, and Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

"To paraphrase Jimmy Stewart, 'the three most exciting sounds in the world are anchor chains, airplane motors, and train whistles.' Add to those the sound of the road through an open car window; the sound of a boat motor on an Adirondack lake; and the near silence of a mountain hike, an empty ski slope in the morning, a snorkel excursion, and a canyon trail in the Southwest. Travel, exploration, adventure!"

Honors & Recognitions

"Kieran Doyle stands out within the IP industry due to his 'excellent communication skills' and vast knowledge of trademark registration, prosecution, licensing and protection." 2024 Who’s Who Legal: IP

“[Kieran] Doyle serves as [the firm’s] chair and has deep experience fighting trademark and product labelling disputes across federal and state courts. He grounds his contentious expertise in firm knowledge of the registration process – portfolio names include Qurate Retail, Twenty-Six Designs and Samuel, Son & Co.” 2024 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"Kieran Doyle is highly recommended for his expert handling of the trademark life cycle, from clearance and prosecution, to licensing and protection." 2022 Who’s Who Legal: IP

"Executive committee member Kieran Doyle handles complex multi-jurisdictional trademark disputes with a steady hand and is undertaking cutting-edge branding work in the burgeoning cannabis industry." 2022 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 

“Kieran Doyle is a conscientious and service-minded attorney, which is clear to see from the detailed reports he provides and the personal phone calls he makes. He carefully lays out the best options and helps clients to understand complex trademark processes.” 2021 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"In his court litigation and TTAB practice, Kieran Doyle 'takes into account all the tiny details to deliver insightful strategic advice and excellent results'." 2019 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"Kieran Doyle is known to be 'knowledgeable and easy to deal with, he adopts a pensive and nuanced approach'."  2018 WTR 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals

"[Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman’s] contentious and noncontentious practices dovetail seamlessly, with Kieran Doyle epitomizing this approach: 'He is a great all-rounder.' 'While skilled in prosecution and licensing, it is Doyle's talent as a litigator that makes him stand out.' He has long been considered an expert on trademarks for marijuana-related products, which is now paying real dividends as states begin to legalize the drug."  2017 WTR 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals 

  • American Intellectual Property Law Association’s 125th anniversary spotlight on selected members (2022)
  • The Best Lawyers in America for Copyright Law (2020 to present)
  • The Legal 500 ”Next Generation Partners”   (2020 to present)

  • WTR 1000 World – Leading Trademark Professionals, Enforcement and Litigation (2016 to present)
  • Expert Guides (Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC) for Trademarks  (2015 to present)
  • New York "Super Lawyers" in Intellectual Property Law (2014 to present)
  • Who’s Who Legal, IP – Trademarks (Law Business Research Ltd.) (2019 to present, including Thought Leader – USA – IP – Trademarks, 2023)

Community & Professional Activities

  • Adjunct Professor, Trademark Law, New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  (2007- Present)
  • Co-chair; Practising Law Institute Advanced Seminar in Trademark Law (2008-Present)
  • Vice-chair, American Intellectual Property Law Association Trademark Law Committee (2010 -2012)
  • Chair, AIPLA Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Piracy Committee (2006-2010)
  • Contributor to Copyright Annual Review (1998-2006)

Experience

Experience

  • Litigates trademark and product labeling matters in federal and state courts and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
  • Counsels clients in a wide range of industries such as fashion, footwear, hair care and skin care companies, publishers, professional sports marketing and merchandising companies, restaurants, food and beverage manufacturers
  • For many years he has represented Trans-High Corporation, publisher of HIGH TIMES Magazine, the world’s leading cannabis magazine. In the burgeoning cannabis industry, he also guides clients such as MM Enterprises USA, LLC  b.a. MedMen, a medical marijuana distributor in New York, through the current legal challenges.  He has developed core strategies brand owners can use to protect their trademarks in the face of inconsistent and confusing federal and state laws and regulations.
  • Other clients he has represented include Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., QVC, Inc., Edible Arrangements, Vogue International (OGX shampoo), Iconix Brand Group, Inc., Serendipity 3 restaurant, Wicked Fashion( SOUTHPOLE clothing and accessories), Hudson Outerwear, Maxima Apparel
  • He has represented various shoe manufacturers sued by Converse for trade dress infringement in shoe and sneaker designs, and a cosmetics manufacturer sued for using allegedly misleading trademarks
Prior Employment
  • Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, Associate (1995 - 98)
  • Legal Aid Society, Federal Defenders Division, Paralegal (1990 - 95)

Newsroom

News

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Cases

Cases

  • Libertine Clothing Company v. Maxima Operating IX LLC et al, No. 2:19-cv-02259-DDP-RAO (C.D. Cal.)  Lead attorney for defendant in litigation involving alleged infringement of Eye-design trademark and trade dress. Settled.
  • Cosmetics Limited v. Elemis Corporation et al, No. 1:19-cv-07121-VSB (S.D.N.Y.) Lead attorney for plaintiff in trademark litigation involving infringement of ELEMIS skin care trademark though defendant’s use of ELEMIS for medical devises.

  • Duracell U.S. Operations, Inc. v. My Imports USA LLC et al,  No. 1:19-cv-03820-PGG (S.D.N.Y.)  Lead attorney for defendant in trademark litigation involving alleged sale of “gray market” Duracell batteries.

  • Fischler v. Ardene USA Inc.,  No. 1:19-cv-01293-RJD-PK (E.D.N.Y.)  Defended against alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act involving accessibility of client’s website to those with visual impairments and achieved client’s primary goals through negotiated settlement.

  • Delacruz v. Only NY Inc., No.1:19-cv-01345-DAB (S.D.N.Y.)  Defended against alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act involving accessibility of client’s website to those with visual impairments and achieved client’s primary goals through negotiated settlement.

  • Vans, Inc. et al v. Target Corporation et al,  No. 8:18-cv-02258-AG-ADS (C.D. Cal.)  Lead attorney for defendants in litigation involving the existence, protectability and alleged infringement of purported trade dress in design elements of Vans sneakers.

  • BIC Corporation v. Chicago Import Inc.,  No. 1:18-cv-07378 (N.D. Ill.)  Lead attorney for defendant in trademark litigation involving alleged sale of “gray market” BIC lighters and achieved client’s primary goals through negotiated settlement.

  • Spray Moret, LLC v. Hudson Outerwear Inc. et al,  No. 1:18-cv-09920-JPO (S.D.N.Y.) Lead attorney for defendant in trademark litigation involving alleged infringement of Shark Mouth design and achieved client’s goals through negotiated settlement. 

  • Gil v. Wolfgang's Steakhouse, Inc.,  No. 1:18-cv-22080-CMA (S.D. Fla.) Defended against alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act involving accessibility of client’s website to those with visual impairments and achieved client’s primary goals through negotiated settlement.

  • BIC Corporation et al v. Florida Distributors, Inc. et al, No. 0:18-cv-60010-RKA (S.D. Fla.)  Lead attorney for defendant in trademark litigation involving alleged sale of “gray market” BIC lighters and achieved client’s primary goals through negotiated settlement.

  • Libertine Clothing Company v. Maxima Operating IX LLC et al, No. 2:19-cv-02259-DDP-RAO (C.D. Cal.)  Lead attorney for defendant in litigation involving alleged infringement of Eye-design trademark and trade dress.

  • MC Wellington, LLC v. Freshkids, LLC, 1:15 cv-8718 (S.D.N.Y. 2016) Represented plaintiff in federal court trademark litigation involving the infringement of client’s KidFresh for children’s food trademark by defendant’s launch of Freshkids brand also for children’s food.  After document discovery and depositions we secured a favorable result though negotiated settlement with all of client’s goals achieved.

  • Alor International, Ltd. v. QVC Inc., 2:16-cv-1638 (C.D.  CA 2016)  Defended client in copyright suit involving jewelry designs and achieved favorable outcome through negotiated settlement.

  • Quickcheck Corp. v. Gold Associates, Inc., 2:15-cv-06918 (D.N.J. 2015)  Defended gas station chain in federal court litigation involving the trade dress of gas station canopies and pumps.  After defeating plaintiff’s summary judgment motion through briefing and oral argument, negotiated a favorable settlement which permitted defendant to continue using its trade dress on all existing gas stations and called for slight modifications for future gas stations.

  • Trans-High Corporation, Inc. v. Richard Reimers, 2:14-CV-0279 (E.D. Washington. 2014)  Sued to enforce the HIGH TIMES trademark against a Colorado marijuana dispensary.  Successfully moved to dismiss defendant’s counterclaims seeking to cancel HIGH TIMES federal trademark registrations for client’s alleged violation of the Controlled Substance Act resulting in an written opinion on an issue of first impression.  Ultimately succeeded in stopping defendant’s through a stipulated permanent injunction.

  • Trans-High Corporation, Inc. v. Johnny Mennillo, T-2197-14 (Canadian Federal Court, Toronto, 2014).  Worked through Canadian counsel to successfully sue owner of several infringing HIGH TIMES marijuana dispensaries resulting in a consent judgment requiring a permanent injunction and payment of $50,000 in damages.

  • Converse v. Fortune Dynamic, ITC Inv. No. 351-TA-936 (International Trade Commission, 2014) Represented three defendant’s before the International Trade Commission in dispute involving the trade dress in Converse All-Star sneakers and after compiling of extensive third-party use evidence and survey evidence, negotiated favorable resolution for all three clients.

  • Converse v. Nowhere, Inc., CV14 5991 (E.D.N.Y., 2014) Represented three defendant’s before the International Trade Commission in dispute involving the trade dress in Converse All-Star sneakers and after compiling of extensive third-party use evidence and survey evidence, negotiated favorable resolution for all three clients.

  • Converse v. Iconix Brands, Inc.,  ITC Inv. No. 351-TA-936 (International Trade Commission, 2014) Represented three defendant’s before the International Trade Commission in dispute involving the trade dress in Converse All-Star sneakers and after compiling of extensive third-party use evidence and survey evidence, negotiated favorable resolution for all three clients.

  • Golloher v. Todd Christopher International, Inc. d/b/a Vogue International, Case No. C12-06002 RS (N. D. of CA, October 7, 2013) Defended client in California class action involving the allegedly misleading use of the trademark ORGANIX  on nationally-distributed hair care products.

  • Center for Environmental Health v. Vogue International, RG 11580876 (CA Superior Court, September 13, 2012) Defended client in suit involving the alleged violation of the California Organic Products Act targeting use of the trademark ORGANIX  on nationally-distributed hair care products and successfully negotiated a settlement that achieved client’s key objectives.

  • R Squared v. Serendipity 3, Inc., 11 Civ. 7155 (S.D.N.Y., September 30, 2012)

  • Moroccanoil v. Vogue International, et.al, Case No. CV10-10048 (C.D. of CA, January 7, 2011)  Defended client’s MORROCAN ARGAN OIL hair care products against trademark infringement and trade dress infringement claims brought by MOROCCANOIL brand and, after document discovery and depositions, successfully negotiated a settlement that achieved client’s key objectives.

  • L.C. Licensing Inc. v. Berman, 86 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1883 (T.T.A.B. 2008)  Successfully opposed application to register ENYCE for auto accessories based on client’s prior rights in ENYCE for clothing resulting in a judgment after trial.

Education

Fordham University School of Law (JD 1995; Law Review: Associate Editor 1993 - 95)

Fordham University (BA 1990)

Admissions

  • New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
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