Working at the intersection of commerce and technology, A.J. Zottola focuses his practice on the exploitation of intellectual property, intangible, and technology assets in business and strategic relationships.
Mr. Zottola's skills enable him to handle all types of issues, negotiations, and agreements involving:
· intellectual property;
· franchise;
· privacy;
· information security;
· contract; and
· business tort law.
His extensive experience also helps clients resolve and craft settlement arrangements for misappropriation and infringement matters and for disputes involving commercial and licensing agreements. In addition, he regularly counsels clients on intellectual property, e-commerce and privacy issues, and prosecutes and manages U.S. and foreign trademark and copyright portfolios.
His in-depth knowledge helps clients achieve practical and creative solutions to procure, exploit, manage and protect their intangible and proprietary assets. Whether resolving employer/employee intellectual property ownership issues, assessing new technology developments, or acquiring technology assets through mergers and acquisitions, Mr. Zottola assists a variety of companies and funding sources in maximizing asset value, identifying new opportunities for business expansion and generation, and preventing the unwanted loss or infringement of proprietary rights.
Representative Clients
Mr. Zottola regularly represents U.S. and foreign enterprises, from Fortune 500 companies and small start-ups to trade and professional associations. Industries include software, e-commerce, information technology, electronics, media and entertainment, medical products, toys and other consumer products, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, telecommunications and other newer technologies.
Significant Matters
Having worked exclusively in the technology space since the beginning of the Internet age in the 1990s, Mr. Zottola has extensive experience in the areas of:
· licenses and technology transfers;
· outsourcing, professional, consulting, and Internet-enabled service arrangements;
· distribution, supply, reseller, and manufacturing arrangements;
· e-commerce, information technology, data processing, and proprietary information agreements;
· strategic partnerships and alliances;
· trademark and copyright prosecution;
· technology and intellectual property due diligence;
· mergers, sales, dispositions, and acquisitions; and
· co-branding/marketing agreements, publishing agreements, and franchising agreements and networks.
Mr. Zottola has represented:
· a large technical and software services contractor in devising new open source software business models for its products and solutions;
· a large, publicly-held leader in enterprise storage management software in connection with the intellectual property aspects of acquiring a $403 million publicly held software company that provided data storage, access and e-mail management solutions;
· a large, publicly held global business and information technology company in orchestrating the intellectual property aspects of selling its global utilities practice for approximately $26 million;
· a privately held Internet entertainment and marketing business in selling all its technology assets (including its entire trademark and patent portfolio) to a large media company; and
· a large, publicly held pharmaceutical product wholesaler in connection with the intellectual property aspects of its joint venture with another public company to form an independent health informatics business.
Mr. Zottola's recent dispute resolution experience includes representing:
· a large non-profit organization in a breach of contract dispute with its data management systems provider;
· a leading children's toy company in its defense of a trademark and copyright infringement lawsuit, which also involved business tort and unfair competition claims;
· a leading scented candle manufacturer and distributor in its pursuit of trademark and copyright infringement, business tort and false advertising claims against a competitor; and
· a software company in a breach of contract dispute.
Industries
New Media, Media and Entertainment
Government Contractors
Life Sciences
Nonprofit Organizations and Associations
Green Businesses
News
February 15, 2012, A.J. Zottola completes IT outsourcing arrangement for one of Hollywood's leading providers of production accounting and payroll processing services
February 14, 2012, A.J. Zottola completes cloud computing and data storage arrangement between two laboratory accreditation bodies
June 3, 2011, 29 Venable attorneys featured in Legal 500's 2011 rankings
February 11, 2011, Venable team completes global license and distribution agreement
December 29, 2010, Venable team assists CenTauri Solutions in its sale to CSC
September 30, 2010, Venable team assists 3Di Technologies in sale to L-3 Communications
February 25, 2008, Venable M&A clients included in four of Washington Technology's 10
January 2, 2008, Venable LLP Promotes Nine to Partner
September 18, 2007, Venable Adds Three Federal Contractor M&A Transactions to 2007 Tally
Honors
Recognized in the 2011 edition of Legal 500, Technology: Outsourcing and Transactions
Publications
April 26, 2012, Social Media and Charitable Solicitation Considerations
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Kristalyn J. Loson
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Social Media, Tax and Employee Benefits
March 28, 2012, Know the Risks Before You Head to the Cloud: A Primer on Cloud Computing Legal Risks and Issues for Nonprofits
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Meeting, Vendor and Government Contracts, Miscellaneous
January 2012, Enforcing Non-Compete Provisions in California
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Daniel B. Chammas, Bret P. Siciliano, Jeremy T. Horine
Labor & Employment News Alert
September 19, 2011, Does Twitter Content Require Permission to Use?
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Association Media & Publishing
Related Topic Area(s): Copyrights and Trademarks, Social Media
May 19, 2011, Online Social Media and Nonprofits: Navigating the Legal Pitfalls
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Lesley Pate Marlin
Related Topic Area(s): Certification, Standard-Setting and Codes of Ethics, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Miscellaneous, Social Media
January 11, 2011, The Top Five Technology Legal Traps for the Unwary Nonprofit Organization
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Social Media
December 16, 2010, So You Want To Be On The Internet ®
Maurice Baskin, George E. Constantine, Todd R. Farnsworth, Mikhia E. Hawkins, Lisa M. Hix, George W. Johnston, Matthew T. Journy, Joshua J. Kaufman, Gilead I. Light, Luisa M. Lopez, Caryn G. Pass, Janet F. Satterthwaite, Melissa Landau Steinman, Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Social Media
October 5, 2010, The Top Five Technology Legal Traps for the Unwary Association
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Meeting, Vendor and Government Contracts, Miscellaneous, Social Media
June 24, 2010, The Legal Aspects of Social Media: What Every Association Needs to Know
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Lobbying and Political Activity, Miscellaneous, Social Media, Tax and Employee Benefits
March 2, 2010, Social Media: Opportunities and Legal Pitfalls
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Lobbying and Political Activity, Miscellaneous, Tax and Employee Benefits
February 2010, Handling Unsolicited Idea Submissions
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Technology Transactions Alert
November 20, 2009, A Checklist for Social Media Legal Notices and Policies
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Electronic Communications, Copyrights and Trademarks, Social Media
October 12, 2009, The Legal Aspects of Online Social Networks: An Overview for Associations
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Social Media
July 2009, Electronic Health Records: "Meaningful Use" in a Land Rush
Ted L. Ramirez, Joseph B. Walker, Peter P. Parvis, Nora E. Garrote, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Emilio W. Cividanes, Julia Kernochan Tama
Healthcare Alert
April 27, 2009, New Government Grants to Spur Green Technology Development
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Technology Transactions Alert
November 2008, Co-author, "Clawing Your Way to the Top: Avoid SEO Liability"
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Electronic Retailer Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 11
Author, "Ways in Which an Intellectual Property Professional Can Use the World Wide Web & Gopher Servers on the Internet"
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Franklin Pierce Law Center Web site
Co-Author, "Avoiding Intellectual Property Law Liability"
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
PLI Paper, 468 PLI/Pat 363
Events/Speaking Engagements
Upcoming Events
June 13, 2012, Ten Best Practices for Protecting Your Nonprofit's Intellectual Property
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Andrew D. Price
Related Topic Area(s): Copyrights and Trademarks
Past Events
April 26, 2012, "Social Media and Charitable Solicitation Considerations" at the 2012 Exempt Organizations General Counsel Conference
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Kristalyn J. Loson
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Social Media, Tax and Employee Benefits
February 2, 2012, "SOPA, PIPA and the MEGAUPLOAD Indictment: What Do these Developments Mean for the Internet?" for the Association of Corporate Counsel's IT, Privacy & eCommerce Committee
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola, Joseph B. Walker, Laura B. Springer
September 1, 2011, "Cloud Computing Legal Issues" for the Association of Corporate Counsel's IT, Privacy & eCommerce Committee
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
May 19, 2011, "Online Social Media and Nonprofits: Navigating the Legal Pitfalls" Webcast for the Association of Corporate Counsel's Nonprofit Organizations Committee
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Miscellaneous, Social Media
January 11, 2011, Legal Quick Hit: "The Top Five Technology Legal Traps for the Unwary Nonprofit" for the Association of Corporate Counsel's Nonprofit Organizations Committee
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Social Media
August 4, 2010, "Avoiding Legal Pitfalls When Using On-Line Social Media" for the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, in collaboration with various State Grantmakers Alliances
Lisa M. Hix, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Employment Law, Lobbying and Political Activity, Miscellaneous, Tax and Employee Benefits
June 24, 2010, "The Legal Aspects of Social Media: What Every Association Needs to Know," Higher Logic's 2010 Learning Series
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Miscellaneous
March 2, 2010, "Legal Aspects of Social Media" at the SociaLex Conference 2010
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
Related Topic Area(s): Antitrust and Trade Regulation, Copyrights and Trademarks, Electronic Communications, Miscellaneous, Tax and Employee Benefits, Lobbying and Political Activity
June 5, 2006 - June 6, 2006, 2006 Finance & Business Operations Symposium
Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola
August 1998, "Are you Ready? What Every Nonprofit Should Know and Do About Year 2000 - Legal Implications, Preparations, and Practical Actions," at a program hosted by Gifts In Kind International
Armand J. (A.J.) Zottola