Author: Cristofer Leffler

Cris helps technology clients resolve high stakes intellectual property, commercial, and antitrust disputes. With significant in-house and private practice experience, he also counsels clients in complex commercial and ip transactions.

Slam Dunk for Nike – Jumpman Logo Clear of Copyright Dispute

On March 25, 2019, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of Nike’s successful dismissal of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by photographer Jacobus Rentmeester against Nike’s ubiquitous Jordan Brand Jumpman Logo, ending a four-year legal battle. Background In 1984, in the lead up…

Jay-Z Got 99 Problems but the Statute of Frauds Ain’t One

After a six year legal battle, superstar rapper Shawn Carter (“Jay-Z”) and his former partners Damon “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke successfully defended their use of Roc-A-Fella Records’ iconic logo. Walker v. Carter, et al. highlights the importance of keeping reliable written records, and paying attention to…

Home Is Where the Principal Place of Business Is

The Federal Circuit’s ongoing effort to implement TC Heartland—the Supreme Court’s landmark 2017 patent venue decision—took another step forward in May with In re BigCommerce, Inc., which vacated and remanded two decisions out of the Eastern District of Texas after defendants sought mandamus relief following…