Michael M. Ratoza

Practice Experience

Chambers 2011 "Michael Ratoza of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC practices in copyright and trademark law, and is lauded by clients for his 'excellent strategic analysis, clear thinking, responsiveness and thorough understanding of client needs.'"     - Chambers, Intellectual Property: Oregon

Mike Ratoza practices Copyright and Trademark law, both transactional and litigation, from Bullivant's Portland office. Mike's objective is to assist each client to grow its business and protect its IP assets. Mike frequently blogs on U.S. intellectual property law and policy. To read his blog, please visit www.us-ip-law.com.

Mike focuses his IP practice on:

• Advising as to the use requirements of open source software
• Use and protection of IP rights of all types
• Structuring transactions involving IP assets of all types
• Technology licensing and distribution
• IP rights clearances and transfers
• Due diligence of IP rights in business and asset acquisition
• Use and protection of an individual's right of publicity
• Litigation of software claims, including as to open source software
• Prosecution of copyright and trademark applications in the U.S. and in foreign countries
• Litigation of claims in copyright, trademark, trade secret, false advertising and unfair competition
• Litigation of Internet domain name cybersquatting claims
• Administrative proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
• IP transactional work
• Advising Internet-based businesses concerning IP related issues, including Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) enforcement
• Advising on brand-protection strategies

Entertainment and Media Law

Mike provides copyright and trademark advice to entertainment and media artists, producers and developers, and counsels regarding third party ownership of rights, clearance of rights, licensing and assignment of rights, right of publicity and privacy, liability of Internet providers and hosts, domain name protection, negotiation and preparation of artist, producers and production agreements, and related advice for the dramatic, performance, film and video industries.

Transactions

Mike provides advice, guidance and document drafting on IP rights and technology transfers, including rights clearances, due diligence in business transfers, IP securitization, right of publicity, use of free open source software, and use and transfer of IP rights of all types.

Litigation

Mike believes in a value-added approach to litigation. Mike believes that a client's reasonable business objectives should define common sense litigation goals. Mike has successfully represented clients in both bringing and defending claims in copyright and trademark infringement cases brought in federal trial and appellate courts, and trade secret and domain name cases. Mike advises on and litigates IP claims of all types, including copyright, trademark and domain name cybersquatting claims, in federal court as well as trademark claims before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Software

Mike advises electronics and software developers regarding the application and use of open source software, and the protection of rights in electronic goods and software products.

Anti-Piracy

Mike is an IP attorney focusing on anti-piracy of Intellectual Property, participating in civil seizures and infringement litigation for a variety of well-known national and international brands.

Brand Awareness

Mike analyzes and consults on brand and trademark strategy, including trademark and trade dress due diligence analysis and protection.

Border Protection

Mike advises and devises enforcement strategy for protection of IP from cross-border anti-piracy action. Mike consults on U.S. Border Protection enforcement of IP rights, including exclusion from the U.S. of products infringing IP.

Mike represents:

• Multi-national brands regarding cross-border brand protection
• Users of open source software, concerning obligations, limitations and disclosures required by open source licenses
• Merchandise-based businesses, concerning IP identification and protection, with the goal of protecting specialty designed and branded goods
• Authors and publishers, concerning authorship and publication rights, disputes and obligations
• Performers and composers, regarding representation and rights protection
• Food manufacturers and processors, regarding IP issues associated with branded food products
• Motion picture rights owners, concerning anti-piracy aspects of copyright and trademark protection
• Advertisers and designers, concerning relevant industry IP issues
• Internet-based businesses
• Public service entities, with the goal of improving the human experience by guiding the protection of IP

Client Testimonials

Professional Development

In addition to his active practice, Mike serves as an Adjunct Law Instructor at the University of Oregon School of Law, where he teaches copyright law. He is a featured published writer on numerous topical IP issues. He is a speaker at many bar and legal association meetings. Mike is an active member of several IP organizations, including the Copyright Society of the USA, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Intellectual Property Section of the American Bar Association.