Insights

Chicago – February 3, 2026: World Trademark Review has once again recognized Crowell & Moring as a top trademark firm in its 2026 guide. Crowell received the highest ranking—gold—in Illinois for enforcement and litigation, and prosecution and strategy. The firm also achieved “Recommended” status in the International category and silver in the U.S. National and Belgium categories, and earned recognition as a top firm in California. Crowell is one of only three firms in Illinois to earn a gold ranking both for litigation and prosecution. 

Chicago – July 1, 2025: World Trademark Review has recognized four Crowell & Moring attorneys in its WTR Global Leaders 2025 guide. The guide, which is in its seventh edition, “brings together the world’s foremost law firm and corporate trademark experts, allowing the wider community to benefit from their insight, experience and perspectives.”

Chicago – June 11, 2025: Managing Intellectual Property has recognized 12 Crowell & Moring attorneys and four practices in its 2025 IP Stars guide. The guide, which is in its seventh edition, “brings together the world’s foremost law firm and corporate trademark experts, allowing the wider community to benefit from their insight, experience and perspectives.”

In the last few months, both Washington State and Pennsylvania enacted significant legislation addressing the malicious use of deepfakes—artificial intelligence-generated or manipulated media. These new laws reflect a growing national and state-level trend to regulate AI-generated content, especially when used to harm individuals or mislead the public.

With opening ceremonies set to begin, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (the “USOPC”) sent a strong reminder that it strictly enforces its trademarks and protects against ambush-style marketing.  On July 19, the USOPC sued sports beverage company Prime Hydration, LLC (“Prime Hydration”), which was founded in 2022 by YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul, for allegedly infringing USOPC’s trademarks with Olympic-themed advertising. Filed in the District of Colorado,[1] the complaint alleges that Prime Hydration improperly used phrases such as “Olympic,” “Olympian,” “Team USA,” and “Going for Gold” on advertising and packaging for its beverages featuring Olympic basketball athlete Kevin Duran. An example of the alleged infringement is shown below.

If your company isn’t on the metaverse yet, don’t wait for it. Because your customers are already there.

With the emergence of the “metaverse,” the global marketplace is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation, and brands are tuning in. This type of digital platform provides new opportunities for global companies to connect with their consumers. At the same time, it also offers a new opportunity for unauthorized brand exploitation and infringement. As companies seek to expand their presence in the metaverse, brands have been increasingly interested in how to protect their existing intellectual property from trademark infringement in the virtual world while also obtaining new metaverse-related trademark protection for their own brands.