The intellectual property group at Katten utilizes the deep bench strength of offices in the US and in Shanghai and London to advise on high-profile copyright claims involving household names in media, entertainment, tech and fashion. The team is headed in New York by global chair Deepro Mukerjee and Karen Artz Ash, a fashion sector specialist, who represents luxury brand designers, retailers, and apparel manufacturers; Floyd Mandell in Chicago, who draws on over 20 years of IP litigation experience; and music industry expert Zia Modabber, the managing partner entertainment and media litigation chair at the Los Angeles office, whose clients have included Stevie Wonder and Trent Reznor (also known his work as Nine Inch Nails). Also in LA, David Halberstadter and Joel Weiner (whose clients include Will Smith and Sony Pictures) bring expertise to copyright disputes in film and television. Tami Kameda Sims departed the practice for a role at Warner Bros. Discovery in June 2023.
Key clients
- Calvin Klein, Inc
- David Nevins
- John Logan
- Katori Hall
- Lenovo and Motorola Trademark Holdings
- Live Nation
- Merch Traffic, LLC
- Overbrook Entertainment
- Showtime Networks Inc.; Showtime Digital Inc.
- Silva Artist Management, LLC
- Sony Music Entertainment; Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Starz Entertainment
- ViacomCBS (now known as Paramount Global)
Work highlights
- Serveing as lead outside trademark counsel for Lenovo and Motorola, handling clearance, prosecution and enforcement matters for the two companies across the world.
- Representating Calvin Klein Inc. and its affiliate, Calvin Klein Amsterdam/ PVH Amsterdam, in a years-long litigation in connection with its defense of multiple allegations of infringement asserted by Diesel, SA.
- Successfully defeated a copyright infringement lawsuit on behalf of Live Nation Merchandise LLC, Merch Traffic LLC and Silva Artist Management LLC.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Deepro Mukerjee, Karen Artz Ash, Floyd Mandell, Zia Modabber