G. Warren Bleeker

Representative Matters

Copyright Cases

• Successfully resolved copyright claims asserted against client regarding the designs of hats and caps.  E4hats.com v. Gravity Trading, Inc., 8:19-cv-00864-AG (DFMx) (C.D. Cal. 2019).
• Obtained consent judgment and permanent injunction as to eight counts of copyright infringement and damages of $120,000 on behalf of large knife distributor against its competitor following favorable summary judgment ruling.  Master Cutlery, Inc. v. Pacific Solution Marketing, Inc., Case No. CV 13-9096 JAK (PLAx) (C.D. Cal. 2015).
• Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of large knife distributor against competitor accused of committing twelve counts of copyright infringement.  Neptune Trading, Inc., et al. v. Master Cutlery, Inc., Case No. CV 13-2349 PSG (Ex) (C.D. Cal. 2015).
• Defended a Paso Robles-based winery against claims of copyright infringement by uncovering decades-old golf tournament programs proving that key images were not copyrightable and by asserting that registration at issue was invalid for failing to comply with regulations for group works; prior to summary judgment briefing on these issues the case settled and the claims were dismissed with prejudice. Veris Management Co. d/b/a Jankris Vineyards v. Jules Alexander, Case No. CV 11-1962 VBF (JEMx) (C.D. Cal. 2012). 
• Defended well-known toy manufacturer Wham-O against charges of copyright infringement and trade dress infringement concerning the manufacture and sale of kite products; negotiated a successful settlement of the matter; following settlement, the claims were dismissed with prejudice.  Brainstormproducts, LLC v. Wham-O, Inc. and Wham-O Marketing, Inc., Case No. 13-CV-1178 WQH (BLMx) (S.D. Cal. 2013). 
• Obtained numerous judgments and negotiated successful settlements on behalf of membership association of composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers for copyright infringement for unauthorized public performances of protected musical works. Van Halen Music, et al. v. Okefenokee Inc., et al. Case No. 2:02-cv-02774 SVW (SH) (C.D. Cal. 2002); Warner Bros Inc., et al. v. Robert L Antonini,  Case No. 2:03-cv-04271 FMC (JWJx) (C.D. Cal. 2004); Controversy Music, et al. v. Prado Enterprises LLC, et al. Case No. 2:05-cv-02720 MMM (PJWx) (C.D., Cal. 2005); LA Posse Music, et al. v. Bene Benwikere, Case No. 2:05-cv-06858 RGK (QWJx) (C.D. Cal. 2006); Center City Music, et al. v. Frank  T. Brinias, Case No. 5:02-cv-00587 RT (SGLx) (C.D. Cal. 2003); Quartet Music Inc., et al. v. Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom Inc., et al. Case No. 5:05-cv-00112 VAP (SGLx) (C.D. Cal. 2005); Jobete Music Co. Inc., et al. v. WFO Entertainment Group, et al. Case No. 8:03-cv-00062 GLT (MLGx) (C.D. Cal. 2003).
• Negotiated successful settlement on behalf of Defendant clothing retailers, designers and manufacturers accused of copyright infringement after uncovering evidence that the Defendants had superior rights to the copyrighted design and therefore were entitled to copyright damages from the Plaintiff.  Unicolors, Inc., et al. v. J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc., et al. Case No. CV 07-2584 JFW (RZx) (C.D. Cal. 2008).

Trademark Cases

• Currently representing craft spirits manufacturer and distributor in trademark infringement suit against large alcohol conglomerate. Lodestar Anstalt v. Bacardi USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 16-cv-06411-CAS (C.D. Cal. 2016)/ 19-55864 (9th Cir. 2020).
• Currently representing craft beer manufacturer and distributor in trademark infringement suit involving ROUTE 66 trademarks. Lodestar Anstalt v. Route 66 Junkyard Brewery, et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-00062-JCH/JHR (D. N.M.).
• Negotiated successful settlement on behalf of a large publicly traded fashion company regarding protection of its triangle trademarks. Guess? IP Holder L.P. v. Yoga Smoga, LLC et al., Case No. 19-cv-5072-GW (C.D. Cal. 2019); Yoga Smoga, LLC et al v. Guess? IP Holder L.P., Case No. 19-cv-07974 (S.D.N.Y. 2020) Guess? IP Holder L.P. v. Yoga Smoga, Inc. and Yoga Smoga, LLC Opp'n No. 91209107 (T.T.A.B. 2020).
• Negotiated successful settlements on behalf of Swiss air filter manufacturer against third parties selling low quality, unauthorized replacement filters.  IQAir North America, Inc., et al. v. Crucial Vacuum, LLC, et al. CV 14-9631  JFW (RZx) (C.D. Cal. 2015); IQAir North America, Inc. et al. v. Roome Technologies, Inc. Case No. CV 14-7684 MMM (PJWx) (C.D. Cal. 2015). 
• Defended claim of trademark infringement regarding the mark HOLLYSCOOP; successfully resolved the matter by uncovering evidence that the Plaintiff lost ownership of her claimed trademark registration prior to filing suit.  Wendy Wheaton v. Rev New Media, Inc., Case No. CV 13-6226 RGK (SSx) (C.D. Cal. 2014).
• Obtained temporary restraining order and permanent injunction against Defendant solar panel manufacturer accused of trademark infringement and unfair competition.  Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., et al. v. Shenzhen Xintian Solar Technology Co., Ltd. Case No. 08-CV 1582 H NLS (S.D. Cal. 2008).

Patent Cases

• Currently defending consumer goods distributor against claims of patent and trademark infringement regarding leg exercisers. Intellibrands, LLC & The Brand Group, LLC v. Jobar International, Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-04505-AB (JEMx) (C.D. Cal.).
• Currently representing client asserting patent infringement claim regarding disposable sanitary gauge tees.  Meissner Filtration Prods. Inc. v. Nordson Medical Corp., Case No. 2:20-cv-01078 (C.D. Cal. 2020).
• Currently representing client accused of infringing patent relating to QR codes. Symbology Innovations, Inc. v. Houdini, Inc. dba Wine Country Gift Baskets, Case No. 8:20-cv-00804-CBM (DFMx) (C.D. Cal. 2020).
• Currently defending manufacturer of products used in building construction against claims of patent infringement. Alfred Miller Contracting Company v. Carboline Company, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Case No. 17-CV-00988-UDJ-KK  (W.D. La.); Alfred Miller Contracting Company v. Stockton Products Inc., U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 2:17-cv-05811-AB (GJSx) (C.D. Cal.).
• Successfully resolved dispute involving claims of patent infringement involving consumer products. Free-Free (USA) Inc., DBA Felli Housewares v. Housewares International Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-03142-SJO (Ex) (C.D. Cal. 2019).
• Defended large knife distributor against claim of design patent infringement; case was dismissed with prejudice following favorable summary judgment ruling as to non-infringement.  Pacific Solution Marketing, Inc. v. Master Cutlery, Inc., Case No. CV 13-1469 JAK (PLAx) (C.D. Cal. 2015).
• Negotiated successful settlement on behalf of Defendant manufacturer of plastic card products accused of patent infringement after uncovering evidence that formed the basis of a claim of inequitable conduct against the inventor of the patents asserted by the Plaintiff. Advanced Card Technologies LLC v. Harvard Label, Inc., et al. Case No. CIV 07-1269 D (W.D. Okla. 2010). 
• Obtained summary judgment of non-infringement as to all 44 asserted patent claims on the grounds that the accused blanket product was knit, not woven; obtained an award of attorneys’ fees against Plaintiff and its attorneys on grounds that it was an exceptional case and counsel for Plaintiff unreasonably and vexatiously multiplied the proceedings. International Intellectual Management Corporation v. Lee Yunn Enterprises, Inc. (U.S.A.), Case No. CV 08-7587 R (JWJx) (C. D. Cal. 2009).
• Negotiated successful settlement on behalf of manufacturer of wireless controller used with Nintendo Wii gaming system accused of patent and trademark infringement.  Nintendo of America, Inc. v. NYKO Technologies, Inc., Case No. 08-cv-907 (W.D. Wash. 2009).

Trade Secret/Unfair Competition/False Advertising Cases

• Currently representing non-profit alleging that former board member misappropriated trade secrets. Brain Injury Association of California v. Naz Yari, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-05912-MWF (JCx) (filed 2019, currently pending).
• Successfully resolved dispute on behalf of bank alleging that former employee misappropriated trade secrets. East West Bank v. Mehtani, Case No. 3:19-cv-06531-LB (N.D. Cal. 2020).
• Successfully resolved dispute involving claims of unfair competition and false advertising between two manufacturers of water purification systems. Advanced Purification Engineering Corp. v. iSpring Water Systems, LLC, Case No. KC069602 (Los Angeles Superior Court, 2019).
• Successfully resolved dispute involving claims of false advertising between two manufacturers of humidity regulation products.  Desiccare, Inc. v. Boveda, Case No. 16- cv-00702 SVW (GJSx) (C.D. Cal. 2017).
• Obtained consent judgment and permanent injunction, requiring $1 million payment, on behalf of electric motor manufacturer, against a former employee and consultant who used confidential information without permission, following successful summary judgment motions. Reuland Electric Co. v. Burgi Engineers, LLC, Case No. CV 13-9499 SJO (JCx) (C.D. Cal. 2015).
• Obtained a complete defense verdict for Defendant multi-national company following a five day bench trial and extensive post trial briefing involving claims of trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract relating to a technology sharing agreement for the manufacture of fiberglass reinforced pipe; Plaintiffs sought at least $10 million in damages; the Court ruled in favor of Defendant on all counts and Plaintiffs did not appeal the judgment. Petroplast Petrofisa Plasticos et al. v. Ameron International Corp., Case No. 4304-VCP, Delaware Court of Chancery (July 31, 2012). 
• Negotiated successful settlement on behalf of Plaintiff inventor of unique food preparation technology against former employees accused of extensive trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition. Del Real I.LC v. Mi Quinta Foods, et al., Case No. RIC 454116 (Riverside Sup. Ct. 2008).

Recent Pro Bono Cases

• Currently representing a 16 year old unaccompanied minor from Guatemala in immigration proceedings.
• Represented a client who was defrauded by her former attorney in a Social Security benefits matter (2019). 
• Represented a client who alleged physical abuse by prison guard. (2018-2019).

Presentations

• Co-Speaker, "Key Intellectual Property Updates," Los Angeles County Bar Association Webinar, November 19, 2019
• Speaker, "Non-Traditional Trademarks and Celebrity Look-Alike Disputes," Los Angeles County Bar Association, October 17, 2019
• Co-Speaker, "You Can Trademark a Sound or Smell? D'oh," Los Angeles County Bar Association, Entertainment Law and IP Section, October 17, 2019
• Speaker, "Non-Traditional Trademarks," ProVisors Global Group Meeting, April 9, 2019
• Speaker, "Immoral and Scandalous Trademarks," ProVisors Global Group Meeting, November 12, 2018
• Speaker, “Basics of False Advertising/IP Law Updates,” ProVisors Global Group, June 13, 2017
• Speaker, “Recent Developments in Copyright Law,” 2016 DRI Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, October 20, 2016
• Speaker, "The Ethics of Your Favorite TV Attorneys" ProVisors Global Group Meeting, January 2016
• Co-Speaker with Gary Nelson, “Trademark Game show” ProVisors Global Group Meeting, August 2015
• Speaker, “’Hey-You Stole My Ladybug!!’  An Intellectual Property Case Study”  ProVisors Global Group, April, 2014
• Speaker,  “Protecting Your Trade Secrets In the U.S. and Abroad” ProVisors Global Group Meeting, May, 2013
• Speaker, “The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA): What Our Clients Should Know,”  ProVisors Global Group Meeting, November, 2011

Distinctions

California State Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award (Large Firm) - Member of litigation team

Other Info