Richard M. Assmus

Transactional Experience

• Represented CNH Industrial in the acquisition of AgDNA, a leader in farm information management systems.
• Represented Adapt Pharma Limited, maker of opioid overdose treatment NARCAN®, in its sale to Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. for total consideration of up to $735 million.
• Represented international gaming company in the re-negotiation and extension of a sports gambling platform services agreement in reaction to the Supreme Court’s PASPA decision. 
• Represented Nestlé in the sale of its U.S. confection business to Ferrero for $2.8 billion, including the entry of trademark licenses.
• Represented CNH in a strategic alliance in connection with autonomous vehicles.
• Represented Nestlé S.A. in its $11.85 billion acquisition of the infant nutrition business of Pfizer, including evaluation of a worldwide trademark portfolio and entry into a technology and trademark licenses.
• Represented Nestlé Health Science in connection with intellectual property due diligence in its acquisition of Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialist in diagnostics and in-licensed specialty pharmaceuticals for gastroenterology and oncology from a private equity consortium led by American Capital.
• Represented Capital One in connection with licensing in its agreement to acquire ING Direct.

Litigation Experience

• Represented Spotify in a proceeding to determine the royalty rates for streaming of musical compositions. This proceeding determined the royalty rate to be paid by all interactive music services, including Spotify, for the mechanical license fees to be paid to music publishers. Determination of Rates and Terms for Making and Distributing Phonorecords. Docket No. 16-CRB-0003-PR (2018-2022) (CRB).
• Represented Modern Luxury Media in an action for trademark infringement, trademark dilution and unfair competition against Celebrity Cruises. Modern Luxury alleged infringement of its MODERN LUXURY trademark based on Celebrity Cruises’ use of an identical mark in advertising and marketing, as well as Celebrity Cruises’ application to register a trademark in THAT’S MODERN LUXURY. After extensive litigation, the case settled on terms favorable to Modern Luxury. (DM Luxury, LLC v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc. (USDC NDIL)).
• Successfully defended Nestlé and Kellogg's in a patent case involving a university patent for a fat composition allegedly suitable for promoting cholesterol health. Won a series of Daubert motions to exclude Plaintiffs' expert testimony on damages and liability. (Brandeis Univ. v. Keebler Co. (N.D. Ill.)) (2013).
• Successfully represented Nestlé in a patent infringement matter involving a fat composition allegedly suitable for promoting cholesterol health. Obtained a favorable claim construction ruling from Judge Richard Posner (sitting by designation), which led to a stipulation of non-infringement. (Brandeis Univ. v. Nestlé USA (N.D. Ill.) (2012).
• Represented pet food manufacturer in the dismissal of a patent infringement claim. (Reported at 767 F. Supp. 2d 806 (E.D. Mich. 2011))
• Represented tool manufacturer in the successful defense and settlement of a false marking case brought under Section 292 of the Patent Act. (E.D. Texas 2010).
• Represented health plan in the quashing of three related subpoenas for health claims information and related information regarding the use of a database of healthcare reimbursement rates. (D.N.J., N.D. Cal. 2010).
• Represented trade association in the design and implementation of a nationwide licensing program. (2008 - present).
• Represented infrastructure fund in the global settlement of a trademark opposition matter. (2010).
• Represented the United States Golf Association in a trademark infringement and unfair competition case. The court entered a default judgment and issued a permanent injunction. (Reported at 2010 WL 323203 (D.N.J. 2010)).
• Represented consumer electronic reseller is seeking indemnity from suppliers in connection with patent infringement action brought by an Acacia subsidiary. (N.D. Georgia 2009). 
• Represented hotel proprietor in a trademark infringement and cyberpiracy action against a provider of hotel management services. (N.D. Cal. 2009).
• Represented a publisher of Spanish-language yellow pages directories against claims of copyright infringement, false advertising, monopolization and unfair competition. (N.D. Cal. 2009). 
• Represented tool manufacturer in declaratory judgment action seeking relief from demands from software provider related to use of legacy manufacturing management software (N.D. Ill. 2009).
• Represented leading collegiate athletic conference in the defense of a lawsuit alleging fraudulent procurement of a trademark registration. (Reported at 2008 WL 5070321 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 21, 2008)).
• Represented music publisher in rate-setting proceeding for the compulsory license under Section 115 of the Copyright Act. (Copyright Royalty Board 2008).
• Represented chemical company in trade secrets action related to purloined customer sales data. (Ill. Circuit Court 2007).
• Represented leading collegiate athletic conference in the defense of a breach of contract matter, including counterclaims for trademark infringement and dilution. (S.D. Ohio 2005). 
• Represented Getty Images in copyright infringement litigation and breach of contract case brought by an individual photographer. Getty won summary judgment and was awarded fees. (Reported at 255 F. Supp. 2d 838 (N.D. Ill. 2003) (summary judgment) and 2003 WL 22048059 (N.D. Ill.) (fee award)).
• Represented Internet travel company in the defense of a trade secrets action related to an allegedly poached employee. (Ill. Circuit Court 2003).
• Represented study-abroad program in the successful recovery of domain name under the UDRP. (National Arbitration Forum 2000).

The University of Michigan Law School, JD
Managing Article Editor, Journal of Law Reform, 1997-1998

The University of Chicago, BS, Mathematics
Phi Beta Kappa

Barreau

• District of Columbia
• Illinois

Tribunal

• US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

• Member, Board of Directors of Lawyers for the Creative Arts (2014 to present)
• Member, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) Board, 2007-present
• International Trademark Association