Education

  • Occidental College, B.A. economics (1983) cum laude
  • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D. (1987)

Admissions

  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Kent B. Goss

Partner
kgoss@crowell.com
+1.213.443.5504

Kent Goss is a litigation partner in Crowell & Moring’s Los Angeles office, a member of the firm's Litigation Group Steering Committee, and co-chair of the firm's Technology and Brand Protection Group. Kent is a first chair trial lawyer with 30 years of experience and a national practice, focusing on intellectual property matters, technology litigation, and large complex commercial litigation matters.

Kent’s practice in intellectual property litigation matters centers around nation-wide trademark infringement, copyright infringement, patent infringement, trade secrets, defamation, licensing and right of publicity claims. Kent has both obtained and defeated requests for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and seizure orders under the Trademark Act. He has tried cases to verdict in most of these areas.

Kent and his team also provide intellectual property counseling in the areas of licensing, trademark and patent prosecution, and assignments.

In the technology space, Kent currently represents a major aerospace company in a dispute with a former supplier over avionics systems in aircraft which involves both hardware and software design issues. He also currently represents a flight simulator manufacturer in a dispute over the terms of a license agreement and whether the software developer has the right to source code.

Kent’s practice spans the commercial area and includes the prosecution and defense of contract and real property matters, shareholder disputes, fiduciary duty claims, terminations of distributors and sales representatives, labor claims, class actions, and acting as outside counsel in government investigations.

Kent has tried cases throughout the country; including Texas, Colorado, and California. He also has cases pending in Arizona, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In each of these cases, Kent serves as lead counsel and works with his network of local counsel who play an important role in all cases. He tries cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. Kent’s clients include Fortune 100 and 500 companies, media companies, equity funds, consumer electronics companies, professional athletes, actors, entertainment companies, toy companies, clothing companies and department stores, start-up companies, technology-based companies, manufacturing concerns and homeowners' associations.

Kent has appeared on HBO Real Sports and has been quoted in major newspapers and magazines on intellectual property matters, including the Boston Globe and National Law Journal.


Recognition

  • Los Angeles Business Journal: Most Influential Intellectual Property Attorneys, 2017
  • World Trademark Review 1000: Leading Trademark Professionals, 2013-2020
  • Super Lawyers: 2004-2011, 2014-2016
  • Letter of Commendation for Academic Excellence
  • Occidental Forensic Union

Affiliations

Memberships

  • State Bar of California
  • American Bar Association
  • United States Trademark Association

Representative Matters

  • A major television distributor as the plaintiff in an ongoing arbitration against a leading global media and entertainment company. At issue in the arbitration is his client’s indemnity rights under an Affiliation Agreement. At the end of 2017, the arbitrator found in favor of Kent’s client on the issue of liability. The damages portion of the arbitration is ongoing. The potential damages are in the eight figures.
  • A major aerospace company in an ongoing trade secrets case against a former supplier of avionics systems for aircraft. The Plaintiffs seek in excess of $100 million.
  • A major aviation finance company in multiple jurisdictions against a private jet charter company in ongoing cases relating to the sale of a fleet of aircraft. Kent’s client faces claims of fraud, breach of warranty and breach of fiduciary duty.
  • The owner of the largest library of still and interactive automotive images in a copyright infringement action against a global media company. The global media company faces damages in excess of $100 million for infringement.
  • A major aircraft engine manufacturer in a trademark infringement case against its former supplier where the ability to obtain a trademark for a model designation is at issue.
  • A former executive at an investment advisory firm in a trade secrets case against his former employer in multiple jurisdictions. Kent obtained the reversal of a preliminary injunction in a published opinion.
  • A major television services company in a multiweek jury trial against a leading global media and entertainment company. The media company was seeking in excess of $100 million in damages. After the first week of trial, the case was resolved favorably for the client.
  • A leading ad placement and search engine optimization company in a five-week jury trial in the Central District of California. After winning summary judgment on the copyright, trade dress, and counterfeit claims, Kent successfully convinced a jury that the client's use of a competitor's trademark in keyword advertising was not trademark infringement, staving off a demand for damages in excess of $20 million.
  • A leading Japanese manufacturer and distributor of golf and outdoor products in a four-week jury trial in the Northern District of Texas where the plaintiff was seeking in excess of $30 million. Kent obtained a complete defense verdict on claims for unfair business practices and breach of contract, and the client was awarded monetary damages on its counterclaim.
  • A local land developer as plaintiff against a Fortune 500 conglomerate in a two-week bench trial in which Kent's client was awarded a multimillion dollar piece of land in an action for specific performance. After establishing all elements of fraud against the defendant, the matter settled prior to jury selection.
  • A group of shareholders of an environmental start-up company as plaintiff in a multiweek arbitration. After weeks of testimony, the defendants adjourned the arbitration in order to discuss settlement which resulted in an eight-figure settlement and a license to the defendants' technology.
  • A leading Japanese electronics manufacturer as plaintiff in a trademark infringement case in arbitration. After several days of testimony, the defendant adjourned the arbitration to discuss settlement which resulted in a substantial settlement, including payment of the client's attorneys' fees.
  • National Football League quarterback Tom Brady for violations of his right of publicity resulting in multiple settlements before an answer was filed.
  • A television actress in defending claims for defamation which resulted in a judgment in her favor.
  • A "founding father" of Mixed Martial Arts, Royce Gracie, in a dispute between fight promoters.
  • A heavyweight title contender in Mixed Martial Arts in an action against his manager and promoter.
  • A prominent group of local real estate developers and franchisees in an ongoing action against a publicly traded REIT for breach of contract, specific performance, fraud, and interference with contract.

Speeches & Presentations

  • "Recovery Opportunities in the World of IP Licensing: Two Complementary Views," Third Annual In-House Recovery Conference, Dana Point, CA (March 9, 2019). Presenters: Arthur Beeman, Valerie M. Goo, Kent B. Goss, and Joel T. Muchmore.
  • "Litigating the Trade Secrets Case," Orange County In-House Counsel Conference, Anaheim, CA (January 24, 2018). Speakers: Valerie M. Goo and Kent B. Goss.

Publications


Client Alerts & Newsletters


Press Coverage


Firm News & Announcements

February 9, 2023 World Trademark Review Ranks Crowell & Moring in WTR 1000 2023 Guide
June 1, 2022 Chambers USA 2022 Ranks 70 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 37 Practice Areas Among Best in U.S.
March 7, 2022 World Trademark Review Ranks Crowell & Moring in WTR 1000
May 20, 2021 Chambers USA 2021 Ranks 63 Crowell & Moring Lawyers and 30 Practice Areas Among Best in U.S.
February 22, 2021 World Trademark Review Ranks Crowell & Moring in WTR 1000
July 7, 2020 World Trademark Review Ranks Crowell & Moring in WTR 1000
September 8, 2017 Crowell & Moring partners Valerie Goo and Kent Goss Recognized as Los Angeles Business Journal's "Most Influential Intellectual Property Attorneys"
June 27, 2017 Experienced Trial Lawyers Kent Goss and Valerie Goo Join Crowell & Moring’s Litigation Group in Los Angeles