Kristine Young

Kristine Young is a partner in the Intellectual Property, Brand Management and Technology & IP Transactions practice of Mayer Brown’s Chicago office. Kristine is an accomplished intellectual property lawyer renowned for her expertise in trademark prosecution and enforcement, brand management, global anti-counterfeiting initiatives, false advertising enforcement, defense and advisory work, and corporate transactions. She has a broad range of experience encompassing transactional work, litigation in federal and state court, and matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. She has represented a diverse range of clients, from multinational corporations to entrepreneurs and individuals, spanning various sectors such as technology, retail, banking, entertainment, and hospitality.

Kristine is recognized as one of “The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals” by World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 (2022-2023) and was recognized in Legal 500 US 2023 Rankings For Trademark Litigation.

Brand Management, Prosecution, Strategy, and Counseling

Kristine manages the global trademark portfolios of numerous clients and advises clients regarding clearance, preparation, prosecution, and maintenance of domestic and foreign trademarks and copyrights. As a specialist in trademark prosecution and brand management, Kristine has assisted clients in registering and safeguarding their trademarks within the United States and globally. She possesses a wealth of knowledge and proficiency in navigating the intricate web of international trademark law, and has successfully advocated for clients in trademark matters across multiple jurisdictions. Kristine also counsels clients regarding copyright protection, registration, and enforcement. Using her background in computer information systems, she also performs freedom-to-operate assessments related to computer technologies and systems.

Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and Online Enforcement

Kristine’s practice consists of trademark, false advertising, trade secret, domain name, copyright, unfair competition, and breach of contract litigation in federal and state courts. Her experience includes trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the TTAB as well as domain name litigation under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) and the UDRP.

Additionally, Kristine advises clients regarding enforcement strategies and procedures related to trademark and copyright infringement on social media, content sharing, and e-commerce websites, and she handles all aspects of these enforcement procedures, including takedown requests and navigating the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Kristine has also represented a pro bono client in a criminal appeal before the Seventh Circuit, has represented a major music streaming service in a royalty rates proceeding before the Copyright Royalty Board, and has defended clients against Whistleblower claims under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Anti-Counterfeiting Strategy and Enforcement

Kristine advises and executes domestic and international anti-counterfeiting strategies, including working with US Customs and Border Protection and like organizations in other jurisdictions to help stop counterfeit goods at the point of entry. Kristine also assists clients in enforcement actions against counterfeiters 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. She counsels clients on robust strategies for mitigating the impact of counterfeiting domestically and globally, and her collaboration with law enforcement agencies in seizing counterfeit goods has been instrumental in protecting her clients’ rights and reducing their reputational harm. Her experience also includes combating counterfeit goods in online and on-the-ground marketplaces.

Advertising

Kristine assists clients with developing advertising campaigns and in the selection and clearance of advertising slogans and materials to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Kristine frequently assists clients in navigating the complex legal landscape of advertising, including with matters involving false or misleading claims, endorsements, testimonials, comparative advertising, and regulatory compliance. She also advises clients regarding right to publicity and privacy concerns as well as copyright and trademark considerations, and consults clients regarding the use of materials on websites and social media pages in light of relevant copyright, trademark, and publicity laws.

Corporate Transactions, Licensing, Restructuring, and Internet Privacy

Kristine is seasoned in various aspects of intellectual property licensing relating to domestic and international intellectual property rights, including the licensing of patent rights, trademarks, copyrights, technical know-how, trade secrets, and computer software. She also has experience with inter-affiliate intellectual property licensing and the restructuring of intellectual property portfolios.

Kristine advises on intellectual property aspects of commercial transactions, including public and private mergers, acquisitions, joint development agreements, and joint ventures and strategic alliances for US, foreign, and multinational corporations, both publicly and privately held. Kristine also consults clients regarding website privacy policies and practices, and federal and state data privacy laws.

Kristine also advises clients on trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters pertaining to AI, including safeguarding intellectual property rights, assessing risks and establishing policies governing use of AI. 

Artificial Intelligence

With a deep understanding of the legal complexities surrounding AI technologies, Kristine provides guidance to companies seeking to protect and leverage their intellectual property assets. Her expertise extends to drafting comprehensive corporate policies that address the unique challenges posed by AI, and ensuring that clients are equipped with the necessary legal framework to navigate the intricate landscape of AI-related intellectual property issues, including safeguarding trade secrets and confidential information.

Certifications and Prior Work

Kristine is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Prior to joining Mayer Brown, she worked for a “big four” accounting firm in the IT Risk Assurance practice.