Mari-Elise Paul
Mari-Elise Paul is a member of the Intellectual Property & Technology Group. Her practice concentrates on litigation involving intellectual property infringement and trade secret misappropriation, prosecuting trademark and copyright registration applications, litigating trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings as well as negotiating and drafting licenses and other contracts that involve intellectual property or technology rights. She also interacts with U.S. Customs & Border Protection to enforce trademarks through seizure orders.
UNITED STATES: NFL Team to Drop ‘REDSKINS’ Name, Trademark, and Logo
International Trademark Association (INTA) newsletter, July 15, 2020
Intent to Use Sufficient to Overcome Abandonment Claim
INTA Bulletin, May 1, 2020
Petitioner Scores a Hole-In-One with Cancellation
INTA Bulletin, May 1, 2020
Northern District of Illinois Rules Joinder of 79 Online Retailers Improper
INTA Bulletin, April 1, 2020
Everyone's New Year's Resolution: More Privacy
Tennessee Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, Nashville, Tennessee, December 9, 2019
Levi's Keeps Tabs on YSL's Pockets
Trademarkology blog, September 24, 2019
The Race to Privacy
Stites & Harbsion Thirsty Thursday Speaker Series, April 25, 2019
Trademark Takedown Trends: Adoption of a DMCA-style Notice and Takedown Procedure for Trademark Infringement Allegations
It’s Like That: RUN-D.M.C. Sues Amazon and Wal-Mart for Trademark Infringement
S.W.I.F.T. (Stites Women Investing in our Futures Together) Committee, Member
Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees
Louisville American Heart Association, Board of Directors
Go Red for Women Luncheon - Louisville, American Heart Association, Chair (2020)
Americans for the Arts, Member
Louisville Ballet, former Board of Directors
Dance Exchange, former Board of Directors
cum laude
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
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University of Louisville Law Review, Member, Symposium Editor
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The Brand, President and Editor-In-Chief
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2010 Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Patent Moot Court Competition; INTA Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition
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Research Assistant to Dean Jim Chen and Professor John Cross
magna cum laude
University of Maryland
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Honors Citation; Philip Merrill President Scholar
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Creative and Performing Arts Scholar
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College of Arts and Humanities Deans Scholar
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Academic Deans List
Mari-Elise currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation and Board of Directors for the Louisville American Heart Association. She is a former member of the board for Louisville Ballet and previously served on the Board of Directors for Washington, D.C.'s Dance Exchange. She is also a member of Americans for the Arts, volunteers for the Washington Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and is actively involved with Gilda's Club. Mari-Elise has recently become involved with advocating for congenital heart defect research.
Prior to law school, Mari-Elise attended the University of Maryland and studied dance and English, with an emphasis in rhetoric. As a law student, Mari-Elise volunteered at the Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and performed with Louisville’s modern dance company Moving Collective.
Outside the office, Mari-Elise can usually be found spending time with her husband Bruce, their daughter Stella, her step-twins Alex and Emily, and the family puppy Moxie. Mari-Elise enjoys practicing and teaching hot yoga, running, traveling, and experimenting in the kitchen with Bruce.
Virginia Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015)
Washington DC Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015)
Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation Appoints Mari-Elise Paul to its Board of Trustees
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation recently appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mari-Elise Paul to its Board of Trustees. She will serve a three-year term.
Supreme Court Rules That Generic Terms + .com May Be Capable of Federal Trademark Registration
On June 30, 2020, the Supreme Court decided United States Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com B.V., Case No. 19-46, 589 U.S. ____ (June 30, 2020) held, with only one dissent, that it is possible for a domain name comprised of a generic term appended by “.com” to qualify for federal trademark registration.
Lucky Brand Gets Lucky Before the Supreme Court
On Wednesday, May 14, 2020, the United States Supreme Court unanimously held that the doctrine of defense preclusion does not apply in a case between two parties when the earlier case between the parties involved different marks and different conduct occurring at different times.
Supreme Court Rules Proof of Willfulness Not a Precondition to Profits in Trademark Infringement Actions
On April 23, 2020, the United States Supreme Court resolved a circuit split and held that plaintiffs in Lanham Act trademark infringement cases do not need to show the defendant infringed willfully in order to recover the defendant’s profits.
Intellectual Property Offices Grant Relief to Applicants and Registrants During Coronavirus Pandemic
The United States Copyright Office (“Copyright Office”) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) have taken steps to follow the CDC recommendations for slow the spread of COVID-19.
Shiver Me Timbers! States Can’t be Sued for Copyright Infringement
Ahoy, Mateys! Earlier this week, in Allen v. Cooper, Case No. 18-877, 589 U.S. ___ (Mar. 23, 2020), the United States Supreme Court held that the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act of 1990, a federal statute stripping states of their sovereign immunity from copyright infringement suits, lacked a valid constitutional basis. Thus, states cannot be sued for copyright infringement.
Levi's Keeps Tabs on YSL's Pockets
Levi Strauss & Co. and Yves Saint Laurent have reached settlement in the Northern District of California lawsuit filed by Levi’s over YSL’s use of pocket tabs on jeans.
Finally U Can Trademark immoral or scandalous marks
On June 24, 2019, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Lanham Act’s ban on the registration of immoral or scandalous trademarks as a violation of the First Amendment.
Trademarks in Bankruptcy
Last week, in Mission Products, Inc. v. Tempnology, LLC, ___ U.S. ___, Case No. 17-1657 (May 20, 2019), the U.S. Supreme Court resolved a circuit split by clarifying the consequences of a bankruptcy debtor’s rejection of a trademark license when the bankruptcy debtor is the trademark licensor.
The Race to Privacy
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Stites & Harbison, 401 Commerce Street, Suite 800, Nashville, Tennessee 37219
IP attorneys Alex MacKay, Mari-Elise Paul and Sarah Spurlock will discuss the latest information on data privacy.
Supreme Court Throws Copyright Owners Curveballs
It is weeks away from opening day, yet the United States Supreme Court had its own pre-season double header of sorts this past Monday. The United States Supreme Court issued unanimous decisions in two copyright cases on March 4, 2019.
Stites & Harbison Promotes Five Attorneys in 2019
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announced today that five attorneys have been promoted within the law firm effective January 2019.
One Important Thing To Do Before You Ring In The New Year!
Nike Plays Defense Against Gronkowski
Intellectual Property Issues for Construction Lawyers
The Supreme Court Slants Toward Tam: Disparagement Clause Ruled Unconstitutional
Trademark Roundtable with the USPTO
Give me a © for Copyrightable! The Supreme Court Holds That Cheerleading Uniforms can be Copyrightable
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court in Star Athletica, L.L.C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc., No. 15-866 (U.S. Mar. 22, 2017), handed Varsity Brands, Inc. a victory, ruling that designs on cheerleading uniforms are eligible for copyright protection.
Trump and his Trademarks
Patriots Trademarks and the Big Game
THE PROCESS of Joel Embiid's Trademarks
It's Like That: RUN-D.M.C. Sues Amazon and Wal-Mart for Trademark Infringement
Hitman Glass Hit With Default Judgment
Curry Scores on Trademark Applications
Trump Trademarks "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN"
“Stairway to Copyright Infringement”- Step Two in Spirit's uphill climb to prove Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' infringes its copyright
KYLIE Who? Minogue and Kardashian Claim Rights to KYLIE
A Humbling Experience: Helping Friends with Trademarks
Starbucks and Momofuku IP Dispute Brewing Over Bagel Bombs
Funtown Hit with a Big Splash of Trademark Confusion
Taylor Swift's Blank Slate of Trademark Protection
Merica: Etsy User Claims Target Ripped Off Shirt Design
The Brand is Back. PEERLESS is Again Open for Business
Wicked Good Maine Trademahks
To Rebrand or Not to Rebrand: That is the Question
Target Launches Lilly Pulitzer Collaboration and Leaves Shoppers Feeling Blue
Gummy Bear Repackaging Creates Trademarkologist Confusion
Lane Bryant Clips the Wings of Victoria's Secret Angels
That's All Folks!
Restaurateurs Squeal When Ramsay Registers "THE SPOTTED PIG"
It's 2015 and Marty McFly was Right: Hoverboards Do Exist
DeLorean Flies into the Future with a Trademark Infringement Lawsuit
Guest Post! Bitter Truth Behind the Cadbury Chocolate Import Ban
Guest Post! Attempts to Register JE SUIS CHARLIE Miss the Mark
BIKRAM Heats Up
Trademark Week in Review: January 2, 2015
BCS v. USPTO: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF Matchup
Chick-fil-A's Feathers Get Ruffled Over "EAT MORE KALE"
Oklahoma State University and New Mexico State University Call It a Draw
Pizza Hut Dishes Up a New Line of Pizzas
Ski City and Ski Town Settle Trademark Dispute
U.S. Customs Bags Nearly 200 Birkin Handbags
Episode II: The Empire Brewing Strikes Back
The Lucasfilm Empire Strikes Bock Beer
Abercrombie and Affliction in an "American Fight"
Bottega Veneta Gets "Knotty"
True Religion Takes Bold Approach in Protecting "U-Shape" Pocket Design
Apple's Misfortune is KitKat's Gain
NFL on Defense Against Retirees in Right of Publicity Lawsuit
Lululemon a Warrior in Protecting its Intellectual Property
Trademark™ the Brand
ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE Applications Make a Splash
Blue Jays Don't Fly Together: Toronto Blue Jays Oppose Creighton's Bluejay
Washington Redskins Hog Wild Over Name
Lack of Protection Can Lead to Unwanted Consequences
Tickled Pink: Thomas Pink Defeats Victoria's Secret
Rebranding: What happens when it goes wrong?
John Wayne's Gotta Do What John Wayne's Gotta Do: John Wayne Heirs Sue Duke University
Skechers Sues Fila for "Mocking" the Go Walks
Trademark Dispute Brewing Between Natty Greene and Anheuser-Busch
Redskins Trademark Registrations Cancelled...but Why?
Pilates: A Deep Stretch of Trademark Law
MIIP Hangs Up on Use of iPhone in Advertisements
Honda Zooms into the Future with First 3D Trademark Registration
Lucky 13 Not So Lucky For Taylor Swift
Swatch Stops the Clock on "IWATCH"
Live from Hong Kong: 7-11, McDonald's, and Apple
Stretching Trademark Law