Navin Ramalingam

Navin Ramalingam helps inventors, entrepreneurs, and businesses protect and monetize their brands and intellectual property. A former software engineer and management consultant who understands how innovative businesses build and scale, he delivers efficient, business-focused strategies for complex trademark and brand challenges.Navin counsels clients on domestic and international trademark strategy, including selection, clearance, prosecution and maintenance before the USPTO, and licensing. He advises on product launches and brand development, copyright and trademark strategy, influencer and endorsement deals, distribution and coexistence agreements, domain name and online advertising issues, eCommerce compliance, and IP due diligence in corporate transactions.Navin’s enforcement practice includes cease-and-desist strategy, oppositions and cancellations before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and trademark and trade dress litigation in federal courts. He represents clients across industries in transactions and disputes from pre-suit negotiations through trial.Navin regularly writes and speaks on emerging issues in trademark law and brand management. He also maintains a robust pro bono practice representing asylees in affirmative and defensive proceedings.ConcentrationsU.S. and international trademark and brand clearance, procurement, enforcement, and portfolio managementResponding to USPTO Office Actions and appealing refusals of registrationDefending and prosecuting oppositions and cancellations before the TTABOnline trademark, anti-counterfeiting, and copyright enforcement on eCommerce platforms and social media

Domain name and internet dispute resolution proceedingsIntellectual property litigation and licensing

Recognition & LeadershipAwards & AccoladesListed, Minnesota Monthly, “Top Lawyers in Minnesota,” 2023-2024Recognized, Minnesota State Bar Association, “North Star Lawyers,” 2022-2025Experience: Representative Matters: Part of the team that represented Expensify, Inc., an expense management system software provider, in successful trademark suits, including district court litigation and TTAB Cancellation proceedings.; Part of the team that represented Mous Products, maker of premium phone covers who had their products de-listed on Amazon, in reinstating their products without even going through the Amazon Patent Neutral Evaluation proceedings. In Mous Products, Ltd. v BelAir Electronics, Inc.; Part of the team that represented Holla d/b/a EXU (HK) Ltd. before the TTAB in successfully opposing trademark registration against iHola!; Part of the team that represented Allegiant Travel Company before the TTAB in successfully opposing trademark registration against Sun Communities, Inc.; Part of the team that represented leading provider of direct marketing services in action against former executives and their new employer alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, breaches of contract and breaches of duties of loyalty. Case settled on confidential terms after hearing on cross motions for summary judgment. IWCO Direct Holdings Inc. v. Nahan Printing, Inc.; Part of the team that represented the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania in a patent infringement action against Eli Lilly, BMS, and ImClone related to the manufacture and sale of Erbitux. Penn asserted US Patent No. 7,625,558 related to treatment of certain cancers using antibodies to erbB receptors followed by radiation therapy. The case resolved on confidential terms. The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania v. Eli Lilly and Company, et al., No. 15-6133 (E.D. Pa.).; Part of the team that represented Dr. Richard Tholen, a top Twin Cities plastic surgeon who endured an amputated leg after Assist America refused to evacuate him for proper medical care, in Tholen v. Assist America, wherein a federal jury in Minnesota awarded Dr. Tholen a $27.8 million verdict, including $10 million in punitive damages.; The above representations were handled by Mr. Ramalingam prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.; Internships: Law Clerk, Minnesota Appellate Public Defender's Office, 2020