Bruce R. Ewing
PEOPLE

Bruce R. Ewing

Partner
ewing.bruce@dorsey.com

Overview

BRUCE HANDLES COMPLEX INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COMMERCIAL DISPUTES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO HIS CLIENTS.

Bruce has over thirty years of experience specializing in the litigation of intellectual property disputes, primarily focusing on trademarks and copyrights. He has represented numerous companies, both large and small, in the prosecution and defense of claims for trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark counterfeiting, trademark dilution, cybersquatting, copyright infringement and false advertising.

Bruce also focuses on commercial disputes involving intellectual property, with a particular focus on licensing matters. Bruce has represented numerous suppliers and manufacturers of apparel, accessories, jewelry and related items, as well as theatrical producers, publishers and entertainment figures, in commercial cases involving claims for breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference and related causes of action.

Other experience includes counseling regarding various intellectual property matters, the prosecution of applications for trademark and copyright registration, licensing matters, the preparation of rules for contests and sweepstakes, and a broad range of general commercial and contract litigation. Bruce has previously held significant leadership roles within the firm, including serving as the head of the Trial department in the New York office and as co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice group.

Education & Admissions

Columbia Law School (J.D., 1992)

Brown University (B.A., 1988)

Admissions

  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Ninth and Federal Circuits
  • U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York, the District of New Jersey, and Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan

Experience

Client Achievements

Representative Litigation

  • Synergy Microwave Corp. v. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. et al., 2023 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 19 (App. Div. 2023) (affirming dismissal of contract and tort claims brought against non-profit membership organization and individual volunteers)
  • Viacom International, Inc. v. Armstrong Interactive, Inc., 2022 TTAB LEXIS 115 (TTAB 2022) (refusing application to register DOUBLE DARE trademark based on likely confusion with opposer’s well-known DOUBLE DARE mark and rejecting applicant’s claim of abandonment)
  • RMG Media, LLC v. iBoats, Inc. et al., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62232 (D. Del. 2021) (dismissing claims for vicarious and secondary copyright infringement against investor in alleged direct infringer)
  • GlaxoSmithKline LLC et al. v. Laclede, Inc., 18 Civ. 4945 (JMF) (2019). Obtained preliminary injunction against ongoing use of confusingly similar advertising and promotional materials for competing dry mouth products. 
  • US Footwear LLC v. JRA Trademark Co., Ltd. (AAA 2017). Obtained award in trademark licensing dispute of more than $5 million for licensee.
  • Strategic Consulting Alliance v. SDC Designs LLC (AAA 2017). Obtained award for trademark licensing agent of approximately $5 million in dispute over success fees.
  • Kumar v. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 12 Civ. 06870 (KSH)(CLW) (2016). Obtained defense verdict for scientific publisher after seven-day jury trial on claim of copyright infringement involving doctoral thesis and journal article that were both concerned with robotics. 
  • In re World Trade Centers Association, Inc. (2015). Represented trade association in New York State investigation into transfer of WORLD TRADE CENTER trademark.
  • JA Men’s Group LLC v. JA Apparel Corp. (AAA 2015). Secured and collected award of $42.6 million in trademark licensing dispute.
  • SME Consolidated, Ltd. v Camuto Consulting, Inc. (AAA 2011). Obtained award of substantial damages for handbag licensee on claim for wrongful termination of fashion license agreement, as well as dismissal of counterclaim for breach of contract.
  • Walgreen Co. v. Wyeth, (TTAB, N.D. Ill. 2009). Prevailed in trademark opposition proceeding, subsequently appealed and resolved through settlement involving client Wyeth's ALAVERT trademark and adversary's WAL-VERT trademark.
  • Argus Research Group, Inc. v. Argus Media, Inc., 562 F. Supp. 2d 260 (D. Conn. 2008). Obtained dismissal on summary judgment of majority of plaintiffs' trademark infringement claims on ground of laches; remainder of claims amicably resolved thereafter.
  • Physicians Formula Cosmetics, Inc. v. Cosmed, Inc., Docket No. 92040782 (T.T.A.B. 2008). Prevailed on petition to cancel trademark registration for PHYSICIANS CHOICE based on likelihood of confusion with client's well known PHYSICIANS FORMULA trademark for cosmetics.
  • Fantasia Accessories, Ltd. v. Mizrahi et. al., 06 Civ. 12914 (DC), (S.D.N.Y. 2007). Obtained permanent injunction and related relief on claims of trade dress infringement, as well as declaration of trademark ownership in dispute concerning ownership of intellectual property rights among former business associates.
  • Shen Manufacturing Co. v. The Ritz Hotel, Ltd., 393 F.3d 1238 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Prevailed in series of trademark oppositions commenced against client, the world famous Ritz Paris Hotel, concerning client's right to register various RITZ trademarks in the United States.
  • Noise in the Attic Productions, Inc. v. UMG Records, Inc., 10 A.D.3d 303, 782 N.Y.S.2d 1 (1st Dep't 2004). Successful defense of pioneering hip hop artists Salt 'N Pepa in jury trial for breach of contract, unjust enrichment and related claims brought against them by former producer.
  • Abilene Music, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., 67 U.S.P.Q.2d 1356 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). Obtained summary judgment in favor of major music label on ground that use of copyrighted song lyrics was a parody protected by principles of fair use.
  • National Distillers Products Co., LLC v. Refreshment Brands, Inc., 198 F. Supp. 2d 474 (S.D.N.Y. 2002). Successful defense of manufacturer of GLACIER BAY vodka coolers against claims of trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark dilution and false advertising asserted by manufacturer of TETON GLACIER vodka.
  • Robert V. Straus Productions, Inc. v. Pollard, (Sup. Ct., N.Y. Co. 2002). Obtained successful jury verdict in favor of producers of Off-Broadway show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change on claims for breach of contract asserted by former General Manager.

News & Resources

Articles

Lies Without Consequences? The Federal Circuit Seems to Think So, When it Comes to Incontestability - IP Litigator
Lies Without Consequences? The Federal Circuit Seems to Think So, When it Comes to Incontestability.
Supreme Court’s Warhol Decision Transforms Law of Fair Use by Emphasizing Importance of the “Purpose” of the Works at Issue
Copyright Litigation, IP Litigator Volume 29, Number 1
Supreme Court Grapples With Complex Issue of Fair Use and Appears Uncertain as to How to Rule, and Thereafter How to Proceed
Most. Important. Copyright. Fair. Use. Case. Ever!
You Know His Name (Jason). You Know the Story (Friday the 13th). But Do You Know Who Owns Jason? The Second Circuit Does – and the Answer May Surprise You.
A Tale of Two Princes
First Circuit Shines Light on Murky Status of Copyright Sublicenses
BREAKING NEWS: The Supreme Court Rules that You Need a Copyright Registration to Sue for Copyright Infringement in Federal Court
Federal Circuit Kicks Chuck Taylor Case Back to ITC
de Havilland vs Feud – FX Wins Round in California Court of Appeal
Famed NYT Cartoonist Illustrates Winning Argument in Breach of Contract Action
Brand Names as Stage Names – Tribute or Infringement?
No Need to “Like” Us On Facebook: Some New and Some Old Contest and Sweepstakes Rules To Follow on Facebook and Beyond
Aereo’s Antenna Arrays and Streaming of Broadcast Programming to Individual Subscribers Found Infringing
"How Does the Trademark Dilution Revision Act Affect Your Legal Department?" (co-author) ACC Docket
"Comparative Advertising and Parody Under the New Federal Dilution Act," (co-author, S. Edelman) American Lawyer Corporate Counsel Magazine
"The Federal Trademark Dilution Act of 1995: A Litigation Perspective," (co-author, S. Edelman) The Trademark Reporter

News & Press Mentions

Dorsey Wins Three Deals of the Year Awards by China Business Law Journal
Dorsey’s Trademark Lawyers and Offices Ranked in 2024 World Trademark Review 1000
Super Lawyers Recognizes 10 Dorsey Lawyers in New York
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Dorsey Attorneys and Practices Recognized for Intellectual Property Strength by 2023 IP Stars
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in New York
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing Comments on Supreme Court's Warhol Case
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing Discusses the Supreme Court's Warhol Ruling
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing Discusses SCOTUS Warhol Ruling and Implications
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing on SCOTUS Ruling Against Warhol Foundation on Fair Use
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing on the Supreme Court Finding Copyright Violation in Warhol Prince Art
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing Remarks on the Supreme Court Warhol Ruling
Dorsey’s Trademark Lawyers and Offices Ranked in the 2023 World Trademark Review 1000
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Dorsey’s Trademark Lawyers and Offices Ranked in World Trademark Review 1000
Super Lawyers Recognizes 11 Dorsey Lawyers in New York
Dorsey New York Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2022 The Best Lawyers in America and Lawyers of the Year
Seventeen Dorsey Attorneys Ranked as Managing Intellectual Property 2021 IP Stars
Dorsey’s Trademark Lawyers Ranked in World Trademark Review 1000
Super Lawyers Recognizes 13 Dorsey Lawyers in New York
Managing Intellectual Property Ranks Sixteen Dorsey Attorneys as 2020 IP Stars
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing Remarks on Romag Fasteners v. Fossil Group
Dorsey’s Trademark Lawyers Ranked in World Trademark Review 1000
Dorsey Partner Bruce Ewing Comments on PTO Can't Recover Lawyers Fees

Legal Writings

  • Principal Author of amicus briefs filed on behalf of International Trademark Association in Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 540 U.S. 806 (2003) (limiting applicability of claims for reverse passing off under Lanham Act section 43(a))
  • ITC, Ltd. v. Punchgini, Inc., 9 N.Y.3d 467, 880 N.E.2d 852 (2007) (specifying contours of New York law of unfair competition as applied to well-known marks used only overseas but possessing a reputation in New York)

Select Presentations

  • Speaker, Practicing Law Institute, “Understanding the Intellectual Property License,” New York, New York, 2012-2017; Chair 2018-2023

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Chair, INTA International Amicus Committee, 2006-2007
  • Vice Chair, INTA International Amicus Committee, 2004-2005
  • Member, INTA Select Committee on the Federal Trademark Dilution Act, 2003

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023Chambers 2022Chambers USA 2021  Ranked in Chambers USA 2020  Ranked in Chambers USA 2019 Leading Individual  
Chambers USA 2018 Leading Individual  Ranked in USA Chambers 2017 Leading Individual  Ranked In - USA Chambers and Partners 2016 - Leading Individual   
Ranked in Chambers USA 2015 - Leading Individual

Rated by Super Lawyers - Bruce Ewing

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2005-2024
  • Recognized as a Leading Practitioner in World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2013-2024
  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Intellectual Property: Trademark & Copyright), 2010-2023
  • Recognized as "IP Star" by Managing Intellectual Property Handbook, 2019-2023
  • Listed in New York Super Lawyers, 2006-2023

Pro Bono 50 Hours 2022     Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2021-2022
  • Contributed more than 100 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020
Bruce R. Ewing