Alisa C. Key focuses her practice on all areas of trademark law including trademark, copyright and domain name counseling as well as trademark prosecution and enforcement in domestic and international arenas. She assists clients in the clearance, acquisition and licensing of trademark, copyright and other intellectual property rights, the management of worldwide trademark portfolios, due diligence in corporate transactions, and the design and implementation of policies and guidelines for the proper procurement, use, protection and enforcement of trademark rights.

Ms. Key is experienced in actions involving trademark and trade dress infringement, rights of publicity, domain names, dilution, the seizure of counterfeit goods and unfair competition before federal and appellate courts, arbitration tribunals and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Ms. Key has represented clients and famous brand owners in a wide range of industries including the computer, technology, finance, telecommunications, government contracts, aerospace, health care, hospitality, pharmaceutical, consumer products, sports, entertainment, art and automotive industries.

Ms. Key also has experience representing clients in technology transactions including drafting and negotiating various technology agreements and addressing issues arising out of software and data compliance license disputes and audits.

Prior to joining private practice, Ms. Key served as law clerk to The Honorable John J. Farley III of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. She is a member of the Intellectual Property Section of the District of Columbia Bar, member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and currently serves on the Trade Dress Image Library subcommittee of INTA’s Information Resources Committee and the New Content Development subcommittee of the On-line Reference Committee.

Representative Experience

• Advising a well-known basket manufacturer and consumer products company in worldwide clearance, prosecution and enforcement of trademarks and domain names, proper trademark usage and portfolio and brand management.
• Obtaining and managing a worldwide trademark portfolio for a US-based high-tech international software company.
• Providing worldwide trademark prosecution, enforcement and portfolio management to a company involved in the online advertising industry.
• Counseling a Florida-based corporation involved in the manufacture of specialized products in connection with domestic and international trademark prosecution, enforcement and portfolio management.
• Representing a major automobile manufacturer in infringement, dilution and counterfeit actions, contempt proceedings and inter partes proceedings before the USPTO, as well as advising on and implementing trademark and domain name enforcement, strategy and procedures.
• Representing a world renowned nonprofit organization in an opposition proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board through briefing and oral argument, which resulted in a favorable decision for the client.
• Defending a Canada-based hotel in a trademark infringement, unfair competition and cybersquatting action involving territoriality of trademark rights and prior common law rights, and obtaining a favorable settlement.
• Representing a leading automotive parts retailer in all aspects of trademark protection and enforcement including clearance and protection of trademarks worldwide and litigation involving infringement, dilution and domain name disputes and inter partes proceedings before the USPTO.
• Advising a major pharmaceutical company on trademark and trade dress infringement, unfair competition and false advertising issues.
• Representing a manufacturer of power supply products in counterfeit and trademark infringement actions and in the execution of an ex parte seizure order.