Lauren Sullins Ralls focuses her practice on trademark, franchise and entertainment matters in both the litigation and transactional contexts, including domestic and international trademark portfolio and conflict management. Her experience includes counseling for complex multi-jurisdictional trademark clearance, protection, enforcement and litigation for leading companies in the entertainment, technology and franchising industries.
Ms. Ralls also has experience prosecuting trademark applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, representing clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and litigating trademark infringement matters in federal courts.
In addition, Ms. Ralls represents franchisors in various litigation, transactional and regulatory matters, including the establishment of franchise systems and the successful resolution of disputes with franchisees.
Ms. Ralls has experience in the music industry through previous work at BMG Distribution and Jive Records. Prior to entering law school, she was selected as a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar and later served as the Notes and Comments Editor for the Emory International Law Review.
Ms. Ralls was recognized in 2012 as a Georgia "Rising Star" in the area of Intellectual Property by SuperLawyers magazine.
Professional & Community Activities
International Trademark Association (INTA), Member
American Bar Association, Franchise Section, Member
Southeast Forum on Franchising, Member
Georgia Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
Experience
Worked on teams handling the following matters:
Lulu Enterprises Inc. v. Hulu LLC, The firm served as lead trial counsel for Hulu LLC, a news corporation, and NBC Universal collaborative venture in the suit related to the launch of Hulu.com. The firm successfully defeated an attempt by a Web publishing firm, Lulu Enterprises, to obtain a preliminary injunction that would have delayed the website launch of the much-anticipated Hulu.com, a website portal that offers downloadable premium video content consisting of hit television shows such as The Office, Heroes, 24, The Simpsons, Prison Break and House.
adidas America Inc. and adidas-Salomon AG v. Payless Shoesource Inc., Represented adidas America Inc. and adidas-Salomon AG in trademark infringement litigation against Payless Shoesource involving the defendant's infringing use of the well-known and distinctive adidas Three-Stripe Mark. Following a 14-day trial and two days of deliberation, the jury found unanimously in adidas' favor on all seven claims, including trademark infringement, trade-dress infringement, unfair competition and unlawful and deceptive trade practices. The jury awarded $305 million in monetary relief, including $137 million in punitive damages. This verdict was the largest in history for a trademark infringement case. Following entry of final judgment in excess of $60 million, the parties later settled for an undisclosed amount.
adidas America Inc. v. Payless Shoesource Inc., No. CV01-1655 (D. Or. Nov. 11, 2008).
University of Kansas v. Larry Sinks, et al., Successfully represented University of Kansas in a trial against JoeCollege.com, a retailer selling various apparel using colors and other indicia of the University. Obtained award of attorneys' fees.
University of Kansas v. Larry Sinks, et al., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23765 (D. Kan. 2008).
Trademark counsel for a global music label, Serves as counsel to one of the largest music labels in the industry on trademark enforcement, prosecution and Internet issues.
*Experience gained by attorney prior to joining Kilpatrick Townsend
Publications
01 January 2009, Trademark Licensing Basics
Source: Intellectual Property Desk Reference, Other Publications
15 July 2008, Lulu v. Hulu: What's All of the Hullabaloo?
Source: Intellectual Property Strategist, Articles
News
21 February 2012, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2012 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases