G. Warren Bleeker

Representative Matters

Copyright Cases

• 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

• 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

• 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 Cases

• 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).

Presentations

• 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

Southern California Super Lawyers - “Rising Star”, 2009-2014
California State Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award (Large Firm) - Member of litigation team

Other Info