Intellectual Property and Litigation

Legal Services

Intellectual Property and Litigation

Every business begins, grows, and endures by protecting their great ideas. Kerr Russell helps businesses thrive in today’s digital and international economy by advising them how to properly manage, register, use and protect their intellectual property assets.

Our attorneys are skilled in the licensing, registration and enforcement of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, software and other intellectual property. Kerr Russell’s intellectual property lawyers are also experienced intellectual property litigators, who can seamlessly and aggressively advance our clients’ interests and defend against infringement claims in any forum.

Our capabilities in intellectual property law and litigation include:

  • Copyright registrations, licensing and litigation
  • Trademark registrations, licensing and litigation
  • Patent licensing and litigation
  • Trade secret protection and litigation
  • Technology protection, licensing and litigation
  • Intellectual property management and audits
  • Internet and eCommerce matters
  • Software development and licensing
  • Matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

OF NOTE

Newsletters

+Practicing Attorneys & Staff

Attorneys

Fred K. Herrmann
Fred K. Herrmann

Member

Michael A. Sneyd
Michael A. Sneyd

Member

+Related Insights

October 5, 2022

Intellectual Property Audits -- Do You Have a Plan to Protect your Intellectual Property?

Your company's intellectual property and confidential information can be among its most valuable assets.  Whether the company is a newly formed start-up or it has been in business for many years, it must be proactive in the protection of its rights.

June 6, 2022

Lemon Law in the Age of Electric Vehicles

The still-developing technology and supply chains for Electric Vehicles (EVs) have spawned a new age in Lemon Law and Consumer Protection actions.

June 3, 2021

Intellectual Property Essentials for Entrepreneurs

A great business idea is only as valuable as the ability to protect it and create a successful business around it. Attorney Max Sneyd discusses IP essentials for entrepreneurs in this webinar.

May 28, 2021

Common Mistakes That Can Attract Copyright Trolls

In order to avoid being a victim of a “copyright troll,” businesses need to be vigilant about the content they post on social media, websites and other promotional materials. 

September 15, 2020

Max Sneyd Discusses Force Majeure Clauses During A Global Pandemic On OESA's Automotive Insider Podcast

Kerr Russell attorney Michael "Max" Sneyd was recently featured on OESA's podcast, Automotive Insiders. Listen as Max shares how Force Majeure clauses have been applied to COVID-19 and the way future clauses will be drafted.

August 25, 2020

Why You Should Take Advantage of Your Business Incubator's Legal Services

As many entrepreneurs know, a business incubator can be invaluable in transforming an idea for a product or service into a profitable business. But did you know that many business incubators have relationships with local attorneys?

May 18, 2020

Opportunities and Obstacles for Contractors in a COVID-19 Economy

Kerr Russell attorneys hosted a webinar for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the National Electricians Association (NECA).  

June 4, 2019

Max Sneyd Discusses Intellectual Property on Recent Podcast

Intellectual property rights are necessary for the music business.  Listen HERE to the discussion on the Detroit podcast, "The Business of the Music Business."

January 8, 2019

Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act Effective March 2019

Michigan’s paid sick-time measure, the Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act (the “Act”) will go into effect this March. The Act, signed by Governor Snyder on December 14, 2018, provides 40 hours annually of paid sick time to eligible employees who work for employers with 50 or more employees.

November 16, 2018

Recreational Marijuana and the Michigan Workplace: New Considerations for Employers

On Tuesday, November 6th, Michigan residents voted yes on Proposal 1, the “Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act,” which permits individuals over the age of 21 to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, among other things.*

March 16, 2018

Kerr Russell's Max Sneyd quoted in Forbes' article "First Death Of A Pedestrian Struck By An Autonomous Vehicle May Set Tone For Lawyers And Liability"

Kerr Russell member Max Sneyd (intellectual property, automotive) is quoted in the Forbes article "First Death Of A Pedestrian Struck By An Autonomous Vehicle May Set Tone For Lawyers And Liability" by David Kiley.

January 26, 2018

Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services

Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.

January 15, 2018

Honoring the legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and every day, we at Kerr Russell honor Reverend King’s leadership and his legacy as well as the critical importance of diversity and opportunity in this great land of ours. Strength comes from difference; a multiplicity of voices brings positive change; understanding and inclusion inspire creativity and innovation.

November 13, 2017

Starting Your Start Up Right

Before you can put your idea into practice, you need to protect yourself and your intellectual property ...

February 11, 2015

James E. DeLine authors article in the February, 2015 OESA Legal Corner "Five Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Next NDA"

Does your company’s standard non-disclosure agreement (NDA) truly protect your confidential information or is it missing something? An NDA is a legally binding contract, so it deserves the same scrutiny as other legal documents. A poorly drafted NDA can spawn litigation or worse – cause competitive harm to your organization.

December 29, 2013

Max Sneyd authors "Controlling Corporate Information on Personal Devices" for the Kerr Russell Intellectual Property Newsletter

Social media is a place to share personal information and can be a place to mine information about others. Because of this, students, job applicants and employees are repeatedly warned to limit what they post in social media at the risk of being passed over for admission, a new job or losing their current employment.

October 11, 2013

Max Sneyd authors "Choosing a Name for Your Business, a Trademark Perspective" for the Kerr Russell IP Newsletter

Businesses spend countless hours and resources to research and develop effective names for their corporate entities, products and services. While much of the consideration properly addresses marketing concerns, there are important trademark issues that should be considered when choosing a name.

March 13, 2013

Max Sneyd authors "Is Your Business Protected from Cybersquatters?" for the Kerr Russell Intellectual Property Newsletter

Trademark rights prohibit the use of another company's trademarks or service marks to describe other goods or services, or in other ways that will likely cause confusion among consumers.
+Related News

August 30, 2021

Kerr Russell Wins Summary Disposition in Trademark Matter

Max Sneyd and Jeffrey May were successful in both obtaining a dismissal of a third-party case against their client and summary judgment as to their counterclaim.

May 11, 2021

Upcoming Webinar: Intellectual Property Essentials for Entrepreneurs

Intellectual Property (IP) attorney Max Sneyd will be presenting a webinar on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from noon-1:00 PM EDT. This webinar, hosted by Corp! Magazine, will discuss IP essentials for entrepreneurs. 

November 16, 2020

22 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness 2021 Top Lawyers

A total of 22 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as DBusiness Magazine 2021 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process.  DBusiness polled more than 18,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties. 

March 17, 2020

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity:  A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends

Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history. Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people

January 16, 2020

Patricia Schabath, Jeffery May Featured in Crain's Detroit Business

Congratulations to Patricia Schabath and Jeffrey May for being featured in this week’s Crain’s Detroit Business “People on the Move.” Both were named members (partners) of the firm, effective January 1. You can view the Crain’s piece online HERE.

January 6, 2020

Patricia Schabath and Jeffrey May named members at Kerr Russell

Attorneys Jeffrey A. May and Patricia C. Schabath were recently named members (partners) at Kerr Russell. The two were selected at the end of 2019 and their promotions are effective as of January 1, 2020.

November 9, 2018

Wayne State students partner with Kerr Russell to create a non-profit organization to provide meals to those in need in Metro Detroit.

In 2016, two freshmen from Wayne State University, Nicholas Ang and Camilla Cascardo, decided to take it upon themselves to address hunger issues by redistributing food from university cafeterias and local restaurants that would have otherwise gone to waste.

September 18, 2018

Max Sneyd quoted in Forbes article "Elon Musk Sued By Rescue Diver Following Twitter Attacks"

Kerr Russell member Max Sneyd(intellectual property) is quoted in the Forbes article "Elon Musk Sued By Rescue Diver Following Twitter Attacks" by David Kiley.

September 7, 2018

15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers

Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters:

June 24, 2018

Max Sneyd presents "Starting Your Start Up Right" to capacity crowd at Detroit TechStars Start Up Week

Kerr Russell member Max Sneyd (intellectual property) presented “Starting Your Start Up Right” as part of Detroit Startup Week to an engaged and enthusiastic crowd. From the session description: "Before you can put your idea into practice, you need to protect yourself and your intellectual property. Attorney Max Sneyd will provide quick, actionable feedback on how to protect yourself and your ideas early in the entrepreneurial process."  

February 9, 2018

Kerr Russell supports "Life is a Cabaret" American Cancer Society Relay for Life event

On February 7, Kerr Russell turned out in force to support Life is a Cabaret: LIVE Musical Fundraiser for Relay For Life of Canton and Plymouth, MI. Director of Marketing Roy Sexton performed a number of songs during the show and served as a co-emcee alongside Christopher Tremblay, Ed.D.. Kerr Russell attendees (pictured) included Angie Lyons-Hincks, Candice Hadley, Brandy Mathie, Ashley Racette, Sue Smith, Cindy Villeneuve, Jan Clarey, Jeffrey May, Kathleen Westfall, Gail Showler, Laura Evans Jones, Karen Schumer, Debra Behrmann, Heather Kalfayan, Kristina Kalfayan, Kelly Hinojosa, Jackie Klima, Susan Willis, and their friends and family.

January 3, 2018

Kerr Russell highlighted in Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue

Look for Kerr Russell attorneys and advertising (pages 92-95) in the Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue. Earlier in 2017, a number of Kerr Russell's attorneys and practice areas were honored with U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers recognition.

December 18, 2017

Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan

One of our traditions here at Kerr Russell is to hold a holiday raffle to benefit three local charities as well as to conduct a toy drive for local children. This year's raffle (many of the beautiful and festive prizes picture here) raised a record total of $3,450 which will be divided equally among three organizations: Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor.

November 30, 2017

Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season

It's a time to celebrate, reflect and remember. However you mark the holidays, we hope your days are filled with warmth and thankfulness, good times, and endless cheer. As another year draws to a close, we at Kerr Russell are grateful to you. You give purpose to our work and add meaning to our relationships. Your trust is a cherished gift. Enjoy these images as we get our offices ready to celebrate the holiday season. Design by Mandy Lark of Lark Interior Design.

November 16, 2017

Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness

Kerr Russell introduces the second ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "A culture of connection." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We are relationship focused. We know our people and our clients are the lifeblood of our firm."

November 3, 2017

Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit

With this month's issue of dbusiness, focused on Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Kerr Russell launches its new brand advertising with "A Track Record of Results." Working with Identity Public Relations and Marketing, Kerr Russell's marketing team developed the creative to emphasize the firm's longstanding place in Detroit's legal and business history.

November 1, 2017

Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.

October 17, 2017

Kerr Russell welcomes new associate Andrew Eurich

Andrew Eurich started this week as a new associate at Kerr Russell. His practice focuses on corporate and transactional (M&A) work. Having recently served as in-house corporate counsel for a broadcast communications company, Andrew has had extensive experience in contract drafting, structuring of acquisitions and divestitures, real estate deals, banking transactions, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property.

August 15, 2017

Max Sneyd interviewed for MLive article "Yes, Red Wings could go after hate groups using their logo"

From MLive.com: "Do the club and the league have legal recourse from preventing their intellectual property from being used in such manner? It is not cut and dry, there are gray areas.

April 10, 2016

Max Sneyd and Jacquelyn Klima obtained a $3.7 million judgment and a permanent injunction for Nedschroef Detroit Corp. in a federal case involving trademark infringement and the theft of trade secrets. The judgment was affirmed by the Sixth Circuit Court

The Sixth Circuit on Friday upheld a Michigan federal court’s determination that the ex-­employees of a fastener company who started a rival business owe their former employer $3.68 million in damages for unfair competition, unjust enrichment and several other counts.