Intellectual Property Law

Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP is unusual, especially among general practice firms of its size, in having a sophisticated national practice in copyright, trademark, and trade secret law.

Our clients include individuals and businesses in the publishing, software, internet, music, and television industries, and in the arts and academia. We advise and represent them in developing intellectual property, registering trademarks and copyrights, protecting proprietary business information, and in transactions where they acquire or transfer rights. We handle trademark registration portfolios for dozens of companies: publicly held, start-up, and everything in between.

We represent both rights owners and licensees in contract and other negotiations. We litigate disputes at all levels in both federal and state courts here and in other jurisdictions. As part of this practice we represent many of the world’s leading scientific, technical and medical publishers in enforcing copyrights against infringement in both traditional and new media. We also advise publisher trade associations on legislative and other matters.

Noteworthy/Representative Cases

• For the AAP, helped negotiate, and largely drafted, new statutes for California and Wisconsin regarding provision of accessible textbook formats.
• Handled intellectual property due diligence in merger of private equity-owned client with publicly held curriculum company.
• Frequently defends one of the world’s largest publishing companies when claims of copyright infringement are brought against it.
• Has handled the acquisition of several multi-million dollar educational products and companies.
• Obtained summary judgment against defendants in suit brought on behalf of several major journal publishers against persons engaged in subscription fraud.
• Advised documentary filmmaker needing emergency advice on fair use issues.
• Drafted radically simplified book publishing agreement for a major scholarly publisher.
• Represents authors in negotiation of book publishing agreements.

Publications

• Strong, William S. The Copyright Book: A Practical Guide (Cambridge, MIT Press), (6th edition in development for 2013 release). Of previous editions, Educational Technology said, “This small book with big print and straight talk is an important contribution to all persons who are interested in the subject of copyright…It is by far the best source available for the layman.” Author Louis Auchincloss called it “a masterpiece of clarity,” and publisher David Godine “wonderfully and humanly expressed.”.
• Database Protection After Feist v. Rural Telephone Co., Journal of the Copyright Society of the USA, Vol. 42, No. 1, Fall 1994, by William S. Strong
• The Chicago Manual of Style: “Copyright” chapter, by William S. Strong
• Columbia Guide to Digital Publishing: “Legal Issues” chapter, by William S. Strong
• Intellectual Property Practice, 2d ed. (Boston, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2011): revision of “Copyright Law” chapter, by William S. Strong