Michael D. "Mike" Hobbs, Jr.
Mike has experience in negotiating complex trademark and copyright licenses, in litigation before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and with large-scale trademark clearance and registration projects. Mike’s approach to working with clients allows him to develop a strong knowledge of their objectives and advance their goals efficiently. He is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and on panels on current IP issues in industries such as sports, entertainment, technology and media. His commentary has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Law360 and on NBC and Bloomberg. Mike has been consistently recognized for his work in the intellectual property area by World Trademark Review, Best Lawyers, and Managing Intellectual Property.
Representative Experience:
Represented Mizuno USA in sponsorship agreement negotiations with the Atlanta Braves to become the official baseball equipment partner of the Braves with promotional rights in the new Braves stadium. Negotiated lease for Mizuno’s first concept store in North America.
Successfully defended the world’s largest flooring manufacturer, Mohawk, in five separate trademark infringement lawsuits against competitor Beaulieu. All claims were dismissed.
Secured trademark and logo protection for Operation Smile, Inc., an international medical charity, in a trademark lawsuit in Hong Kong. The High Court of Hong Kong confirmed ownership of Operation Smile’s Hong Kong trademark rights and enjoined use of its trademarks by a former local licensee.
Served as intellectual property counsel to Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh, Mizuno Corporation, Southern Company, Aqua Lung International, American Tire Distributors (Tire Pros), Genuine Parts Company, HD Supply, Inc., Mohawk Carpet Corporation, The STEP Company, Integrity Toys, Indivior Pharmaceutical, Sugarfina, NewsBank, Inc., YKK Corporation of America, Operation Smile, Inc., Fermata Partners and Alton Brown.
Served as counsel for a leading flooring company in a trademark infringement lawsuit against a large consumer tool manufacturer. Awarded seven figures in damages on summary judgment. Pergo (Europe) AB v. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (N.D. Ga. 4:16-cv-00319).
Acted as counsel for the plaintiff artist in a copyright infringement trial. Obtained jury verdict of over $900,000. Zheng Li v. The Affordable Art Co., et al. (N.D. Ga. 1:12-CV-03523-RLV).
Served as defense counsel in a trademark infringement claim. Obtained dismissal with prejudice on all claims. Delta Plumbing, Inc. v. Georgia Delta Mechanical, Inc. and Delta Mechanical, Inc. (C.A.F.N.: 09-A-04588-2).
Represented a licensee of Atlanta Braves Jason Heyward in a trademark infringement action against a sports memorabilia company. Obtained entry of judgment for a permanent injunction and a confidential settlement award. L.E.A.D., Inc. v. Sportscrack, LLC (N.D. Ga. 1-10-CV-1616-JEC).
Represented numerous authors in agreements with book publishers.
Represented numerous licensors and licensees in trademark, copyright and software license agreements.
Have frequently served as mediator in trademark infringement litigation.
Served as counsel to numerous clients in trademark, copyright and domain name infringement actions in federal court and before administrative agencies.
Administered multiple sweepstakes and promotions for Mizuno Corporation, Southern Company, Georgia Power Company, Chick-fil-A, Inc., Cousins Properties Incorporated, Leica Geosystems, Crystal Springs Water, Holiday Inn, Mohawk Carpet Corporation, XM Satellite Radio, General Motors Corporation, Scandinavia Tobacco Company and others.
Listed correspondent and procured more than 2,200 trademark registrations in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Procured trademark registrations in more than 112 countries.
Successfully represented client in ICANN dispute proceeding to obtain southerncompany.com, southernlincwireless.com and other domain names.
Represented clients in negotiations for product and service endorsement agreements with Yoenis Céspedes, Andrelton Simmons, Chipper Jones, Paul Azinger, Luke Donald, Charles Howell III, Jonathan Byrd, Stacy Lewis, Jenny Finch, Billy Andrade, Todd Helton, John Smoltz, Jeff Sluman, Larry Mize, John Cook, Brad Elder, Bob Tway, Edwin Moses, Teresa Edwards, U.S. National Volleyball Team, U.S. National Softball Team, Atlanta Track Club (Peachtree Road Race) and others.
Set up national licensing plan for a fitness instruction program. Advised clients in complying with laws regarding Internet websites, including terms and conditions, privacy policies and social media advertising.
Represented numerous clients in advertising review and compliance matters, including review for FTC, national television network broadcast, false advertising and comparative advertising issues.
- New Award
- Recipient, State Bar of Georgia Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service (2010).
- Recipient, Georgia State University College of Law Intellectual Property Community Service Award (2010)
- Selected as a Super Lawyer in Intellectual Property by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine (2004-2012); Selected for inclusion in the July/August 2010-12 Law & Politics’ Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition.
- Recognized as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Intellectual Property by Chambers USA (2006-2019)
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
