Overview
Multinational corporations, entrepreneurs, and individuals in sectors such as technology, retail, banking, entertainment, and hospitality rely on Kristine Young’s deep experience in trademark prosecution and enforcement, brand management, global anti-counterfeiting initiatives, false advertising enforcement, defense and advisory work, and corporate transactions. Clients trust her with transactional work, litigation in federal and state courts, and matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.
Brand Management, Prosecution, Strategy, and Counseling: With extensive experience in trademark prosecution and brand management, drawing from a wealth of knowledge in international trademark law and computer information systems, clients turn to Kristine for counsel on their global trademark portfolios and matters across multiple jurisdictions, including:
- Clearance, preparation, prosecution, and maintenance of domestic and foreign trademarks and copyrights
- Registering and safeguarding trademarks within the United States and globally
- Copyright protection, registration, and enforcement
- Freedom-to-operate assessments related to computer technologies and systems
Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and Online Enforcement: Clients trust Kristine for representation in federal and state courts on trademark, false advertising, trade secret, domain name, copyright, unfair competition, and breach of contract issues, including trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB and domain name litigation under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) and the UDRP. Clients also seek her advice on all aspects of enforcement strategies regarding trademark and copyright infringement on social media, content sharing, and e-commerce websites – including takedown requests and the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Anti-Counterfeiting Strategy and Enforcement: Clients look to Kristine for counsel at varying stages of the supply chain, including in federal court actions and by working with law enforcement, to prevent and curtail the illegal manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods, protecting clients’ rights and reducing their reputational harm. They trust her robust strategies and enforcement actions for combating counterfeiting/counterfeit goods domestically and globally in online and on-the-ground marketplaces, including working with US Customs and Border Protection and similar organizations in other jurisdictions to help stop counterfeit goods at the point of entry.
Advertising: Clients frequently rely on Kristine with complex legal matters in advertising regarding:
- Advertising campaigns
- Advertising slogan/material selection and clearance to ensure compliance with laws and regulations
- Matters involving false or misleading claims, endorsements, testimonials, comparative advertising, and regulatory compliance
- Right to publicity and privacy concerns
- Copyright and trademark considerations
- Compliance of websites/social media pages with relevant copyright, trademark, and publicity laws
Corporate Transactions, Licensing, Restructuring, and Internet Privacy: Seasoned in domestic and international intellectual property rights and licensing law, including on patent rights, trademarks, copyrights, technical know-how, trade secrets, and computer software, clients seek Kristine’s advice on IP issues regarding:
- Inter-affiliate intellectual property licensing and the restructuring of intellectual property portfolios
- Public and private mergers
- Acquisitions
- Joint development agreements
- Joint ventures/strategic alliances for US, foreign, and multinational corporations (publicly and privately held)
- Website privacy policies and practices, and federal and state data privacy laws
- Trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters pertaining to AI (safeguarding intellectual property rights, assessing risks, and establishing policies governing AI use)
Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging her deep understanding of AI technologies law, companies seek Kristine’s guidance to protect and utilize their intellectual property assets. Clients rely on her to help them safeguard trade secrets and confidential information, and draft comprehensive corporate policies addressing challenges posed by AI.
Kristine is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Prior to joining Mayer Brown, Kristine worked for a “big four” accounting firm in the IT Risk Assurance practice.
Spoken Languages
- English
Experience
Represented:
- Nespresso USA in Section 43(a) trade-dress infringement case concerning retailer’s competing espresso capsules. (Nespresso USA, Inc. v. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (USDC SDNY)).
- Nespresso USA in a trademark and trade dress infringement action under the Lanham Act against Africa America Coffee Trading Co. d/b/a Libretto alleging that Libretto promoted and sold coffee capsules for use with Nespresso’s machines by designing its capsules and packaging to be nearly identical to Nespresso’s famous trade dress. Won a permanent injunction enjoining Libretto from using Nespresso’s trademarks and trade dress or any marks that may be calculated to falsely imply sponsorship by or affiliation with Nespresso. (Nespresso USA, Inc. v. Africa America Coffee Trading Co. LLC, (USDC SDNY)).
- One of the largest manufacturers of engines and related parts in a trademark infringement and counterfeiting matter, which resulted in the issuance of a temporary restraining order, permanent injunction and judgment against the defendants. (USDC SD Ind.).
- Nespresso USA in a trademark and trade dress infringement action under the Lanham Act against Ameruss of NY, Inc. and related TTAB opposition proceedings, which resolved on favorable terms. (Nespresso USA, Inc. v. Ameruss of NY, Inc. (USDC SDNY; TTAB)).
- 3M in securing a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in a precedential case under Lanham Act involving price-gouging of PPE during COVID-19. The court held that the defendant’s use of 3M’s trademark in conjunction with price-gouging threatened 3M with irreparable harm to its reputation and goodwill. (3M Co. v. Performance Supply, LLC (USDC SDNY)).
- A college athletic conference in a matter involving trademark and cybersquatting that resulted in a judgment against the defendant and the issuance of a permanent injunction. (USDC ND IL).
- Purina in a years-long federal false advertising litigation between competitors. After categorically denying Purina’s allegations, discovery efforts forced Blue Buffalo to admit that its ingredient advertising and labeling was false. The litigation was subsequently settled in mediation. (Nestle Purina PetCare Co. v. Blue Buffalo (USDC EDMO)).
- A machinery and engine manufacturer in a breach of contract action against a rouge licensee resulting in a default judgment being entered against the defendant. (USDC CD IL).
- A global food company in defending against trademark infringement claims brought by a competitor that resulted in an expeditious and favorable resolution. (USDC CO).
- A restaurant group in a trademark infringement matter that resulted in a favorable settlement, dismissal of the lawsuit, and an efficient resolution. (USDC SDNY).
- A Fortune 500 company in numerous successful UDRP proceedings that resulted in recovery of domain names incorporating the company’s famous trademarks and that were being used for fraudulent and/or infringing purposes. (WIPO 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021).
- A financial services company in successfully canceling a third-party trademark registration that was blocking the company’s core house mark from achieving federally registered status. (TTAB 2021).
- One of the largest global consulting firms in the successful shuttering of websites and associated email addresses that were being used to perpetrate fraud. (WIPO 2019).
- A large manufacturer and seller of food products in an $11.85-billion-dollar acquisition of an infant nutrition business.
- A luxury hotel chain in the successful enforcement of its trademark rights against an infringer.
- A manufacturer of food products in successfully canceling a third-party trademark registration for non-use. (TTAB 2016).
- A pro bono client in a criminal appeal before the Seventh Circuit.
- A major music streaming service in a royalty rates proceeding before the Copyright Royalty Board.
- Clients against Whistleblower claims under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Perspectives
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January 212022
Events
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November 092023
AI Revolution: Informing Public Decision Making
The Chicago Council on Science and Technology -
September 272021
Use of Memes on Social Media: Intellectual Property Considerations
News
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February 232023
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February 032023
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March 042022
Education
University of Illinois, JD
magna cum laude
Dean’s List; Elder Law Journal
Certified Public Accountant, Illinois
Indiana University, BA in Accounting and Computer Information Systems
Admissions
- Illinois
- Ranked in US: Illinois – World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000
- Ranked For Trademark Litigation – Legal 500 US