Consumer Products

From consumer product patents and litigation to trademarks and copyrights, Sterne Kessler brings a full complement of consumer products IP capabilities to bear.

Sterne Kessler's consumer products team works collaboratively with in-house counsel, engineers, industrial designers, and marketing executives to develop comprehensive IP protection strategies tailored to clients' specific products and well-aligned with business and marketing goals. As markets mature, consumer products companies must continually innovate to remain relevant to their consumers. Consumers have come to expect ongoing product improvements and brand extensions. And savvy companies have recognized that innovative packaging can be a powerful tool in creating a positive user experience. Intellectual property strategies play an important role in maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving consumer products industry. We take a holistic approach to protecting consumer products by bringing the full complement of IP options to bear — utility and design patents, trademarks, copyrights, and when disputes arise, litigation in multiple venues. We gain a full understanding of how a product was developed and the consumer needs it addresses. Armed with that information, we develop a comprehensive IP protection strategy best suited to that particular product and in alignment with business goals. Our experience in the consumer products sector spans a diverse range of industries, including:

• Apparel and footwear
• Health and beauty products
• Pharmaceuticals and medical devices
• Consumer electronics
• Household goods
• Food and beverages
• Toys, games, and novelty products
• Automobile tires
• Lighting
• Home appliances and furnishings

Design Patents

Design patents are a key tool in the IP arsenal for protecting consumer products, and there are few, if any, law firms in the country with more experience than we have in procuring and enforcing design patents in the United States and abroad. Read more about our design patent services.

Utility Patents

We use the power of utility patents, in harmony with design patents, to protect the functional aspects of consumer products, including the user experience. Care must be taken when drafting companion utility and design patents to carefully avoid negatively affecting the rights of the other. Read more about our general patent services.

Trademarks

Every consumer product, regardless of industry, has one or more trademarks associated with it. Trademarks are what consumers use to differentiate products and services in the marketplace. We approach the protection of trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, slogans, product configuration, and other source identifiers that embody your brand with your needs in mind. We understand the value and high stakes associated with trademarks. Learn more about our trademark services.

Litigation

While companies generally seek to avoid litigation, disputes over the validity of asserted patents or infringement of key intellectual property can sometimes only be resolved via litigation. Sterne Kessler's consumer products team includes experienced district court trial lawyers, the leading PTAB litigation practice in the country, and one of the most experienced and effective ITC litigation groups in the United States. Learn more about our litigation capabilities.