Phone: | eMail: mhoisington@higgslaw.com
Michael Hoisington has over 11 years of experience helping clients in the areas of trademark and copyright prosecution and litigation, domain name disputes and entertainment law.
Both a lawyer and musician, Michael has helped numerous clients obtain federal trademark and copyright registrations, and is experienced in effective procedures for protecting trademarks and copyrights, including prosecution of federal trademark and copyright applications. He advises clients regarding selection, clearance and prosecution of trademark applications, and regarding issues related to copyright protection and registration. He has prosecuted more than 400 trademark applications at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).
Michael also helps clients with intellectual property litigation, and has assisted in litigating federal court patent, trademark and copyright matters. He has significant experience litigating oppositions and cancellations at the USPTO’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”), handling more than 20 TTAB matters. Michael recently handled a cancellation at the TTAB through trial, obtaining a favorable decision for the client resulting in the cancellation of the opponents federal trademark registration.
Michael helps clients with domain name issues, prosecuting and defending domain disputes under ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (“UDRP”). He has advised clients in a dozen such disputes, and has prosecuted or defended seven disputes through to decisions at theWorld Intellectual Property Organization. He recently handled the defense of a domain dispute arbitrated through the WIPO and obtained a favorable decision for the client resulting in the denial of the complaint.
Michael is uniquely qualified to handle entertainment law issues and helps clients in the music and film and television industries with their intellectual property, contracts and general industry counseling. He also helps music equipment manufacturers protect their valuable intellectual property.
Michael’s clients include Maxwell Technologies, Inc., Beimar, Inc., Magma Mobile, Inc., Samlex America, Inc., Satellite Amplifiers, Totem, Naked Guitars, Echopark Guitars, Stage Magic, Inc. and Sleeping Giant Music.
Michael spent 15 years in the electronics field, working as an electronics technician in the aviation industry, the music industry, television broadcast industry, and the US Air Force. He earned a General Class license from the Federal Communications Commission, a television broadcast technologist certificate, and was a certified FAA avionics repairman. He served in the Air Force as an avionics technician, graduating in the top 10% of his Air Force electronics training class. While in the Air Force, Michael maintained avionics communications systems on board B-52 and KC-135 aircraft.
Michael is a frequent speaker and panelist addressing intellectual property and entertainment law issues. He has published articles relating to intellectual property and entertainment in various media, and publishes an entertainment and intellectual property related blog at www.musicnlaw.blogspot.com. Michael is a leader in the entertainment legal community in San Diego, serving as co-chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section. He recently spoke about entertainment related trademark and copyright law issues at the 2010 North Park Music Thing, and the 2010 San Diego Music & Technology Conference.
Michael is a practicing musician, and has toured the United States and Canada as guitarist and singer for a rock band. He currently performs as a singer/songwriter around San Diego. He is long-time member of the San Diego Songwriter’s Guild.
Michael is admitted to practice before all state courts and all federal district courts in California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, The United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Court of International Trade.
PRACTICE GROUPS
EDUCATION
- J.D., California Western School of Law (1998)
- B.A., University of California, San Diego (cum laude) (1994)
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- California
AFFILIATIONS
- State Bar of California (Law Practice Management and Technology Section, Intellectual Property Law Section
- American Bar Association (Intellectual Property Law Section, Law Practice Management Section, Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum)
- San Diego County Bar Association
- International Trademark Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
LINKS
Michael Hoisington's Blog: MUSIC N LAW
Michael Hoisington on Twitter