David Sugden specializes in brand protection, and has obtained several seven- and eight-figure verdicts and judgments throughout the United States. The author of Gray Markets: Prevention, Detection & Litigation (Oxford University Press 2009) – which chronicles the legal and business strategies to protect brand integrity – Mr. Sugden entered the brand protection field via participation in several surprise search and seizure orders to recover counterfeit goods from infringers. This experience led to an expertise in this procedural mechanism and further executions of such orders throughout the United States.
Today, he works alongside brand owner-clients to develop strategies to protect their brands from abuse. And when piracy or infringement is discovered, he leads a team of IP litigators to stop the abuse and remedy the harm. Having been lead counsel in IP/brand protection cases in California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and New Jersey, he has developed a comprehensive understanding on how to use litigation alongside a client’s overall efforts to protect the integrity of their brand.
His latest challenge is to develop strategies for macro-brand protection, which can be overwhelming for brand owners who may consider litigation against every infringing website or street vendor. Beyond litigation, he is also working with brand owners to develop best practices that prevent brand abuse in the first place.
Recently, Mr. Sugden was honored in California’s Daily Journal as being among California’s “Top 20 Attorneys Under 40.”
David Sugden is a speaker at PABS 2009 North America, to be held October 26-27, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.