Andrew Avsec is a co-lead of Crowell & Moring's Technology Litigation, Trademark & Copyright practice. Andrew advises clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to startups on complex brand protection, copyright, advertising, trade secret, and social media issues. Andrew has had the privilege of representing some of the world’s most prominent brands. WTR 1000 reports that clients find him to be "smart, practical, responsive, knowledgeable and with unfailing common sense, he’s the complete package." Another source says that Andrew has "exceptional international awareness and understands the business needs of his clients."
As a litigator, Andrew represents clients in district court litigation, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) oppositions and cancellation actions, arbitration proceedings, and domain name disputes under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy. Andrew also has significant experience leading global disputes across a number of jurisdictions.
Andrew’s counseling practice includes developing global trademark protection and enforcement programs, prosecuting trademarks and copyrights, implementing global trademark protection and enforcement programs, analyzing trademark searches, advising on brand expansion projects, developing global trademark filing strategies, evaluating advertising claims, and counseling clients on right of publicity issues. Andrew also works with companies to conduct intellectual property audits and develop customized corporate IP policies. His practice also includes providing advice on intellectual property transfers, preparing licenses, and conducting due diligence. Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, he was a shareholder and the co-chair of the Trademark practice at Brinks Gilson & Lione.
Andrew volunteers at Legal Prep Charter Academies, Chicago’s first legal-themed charter high school.
Recognition
- World Trademark Review 1000: Illinois, Silver Band, Enforcement & Litigation, Silver Band, Prosecution & Strategy, 2018–2021
- International Trademark Association, Emerging Issues Committee Member, Blockchain Subcommittee Task Group Leader
- Princeton Club of Chicago
Representative Matters
- Represented President and Fellows of Harvard College (Harvard University) in a multi-jurisdictional dispute in coordinating enforcement strategy, including litigation in Turkey, dozens of oppositions, UDPR proceedings, and various other actions to dismantle a scheme to fraudulently franchise schools under the HARVARD mark.
- Represented global brand owner in complex district court litigation asserting trademark and trade dress infringement of consumer product.
- Represented global food company with hundreds of marks, including multiple billion-dollar brands, in district court litigation, TTAB proceedings, and licensing negotiations.
- Represented iconic global brand in district court litigation, TTAB proceedings, international disputes, UDRP Proceedings, and its first global rebrand in 45 years.
- Represented global information services company in global trademark portfolio management and trademark enforcement matters.
- Represented domain name owner in negotiation of six-figure sale of domain name.
Andrew has appeared in over 100 TTAB proceedings representing a wide range of clients from some of the world’s most well-known brands to startup companies.
Publications
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"A Walk Through the Metaverse for Corporate Counsel," Corporate Counsel
(February 16, 2023).
Authors: Andrew J. Avsec, and Dalton Hughes.
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"Trademark Infringement: Conflicting Decisions Raise Uncertainty," Lexology
(March 8, 2022).
Author: Andrew Avsec.
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"Trademark – Conflicting Decisions Raise Uncertainty," Crowell & Moring's Litigation Forecast 2022
(January 12, 2022).
Contributors: Andrew Avsec
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"Pinterest Spurs Online Sales -- And Trademark Risks," Law360
(January 3, 2013).
Author: Andrew J. Avsec
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"Diageo misses the mark in ?red dripping wax" trade dress appeal," World Trademark Review Daily
(May 22, 2012).
Author: Andrew J. Avsec
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"Trademark on Supplemental Register Cancelled on Functionality Grounds," World Trademark Review Daily
(March 1, 2011).
Author: Andrew J. Avsec
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"Foreign manufacturer succeeds in cancelling registration owned by domestic distributor," World Trademark Review
Author: Andrew J. Avsec
Client Alerts & Newsletters
Press Coverage
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Brinks Shareholder Andrew Avsec Quoted in Bloomberg Law
February 18, 2020 — Bloomberg Law
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Brinks Shareholder Andrew Avsec Quoted in World Trademark Review Regarding Harvard Win in Turkey
February 21, 2019 — World Trademark Review
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Brinks New Shareholders mentioned in CDLB
January 20, 2016 — Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Firm News & Announcements