Practice areas: Intellectual Property
Licensed in California since: 2003
Education: Southwestern Law School
Languages spoken: English, Japanese, Spanish
Cohen IP Law Group, PC
11400 W Olympic BlvdSuite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90064 Phone: 310-288-4500 Email: Michael N. Cohen Visit website
Michael N. Cohen is a Los Angeles trademark and patent attorney and founder of Cohen IP Law Group, P.C., an intellectual property law firm representing businesses, entrepreneurs, startups, inventors, and professionals throughout California and nationwide.
Mr. Cohen has practiced intellectual property law for more than 20 years. A significant part of his practice is devoted to trademark law, including trademark searches and clearance, federal trademark applications and registration, USPTO Office Actions, trademark infringement and enforcement, licensing, and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), including trademark oppositions and cancellations.
His trademark practice includes both the acquisition of trademark rights and the protection and enforcement of established brands. He represents clients in trademark disputes involving likelihood of confusion, infringement, unfair competition, ownership, priority, and related intellectual property issues.
Mr. Cohen is also a registered patent attorney and represents clients in patent matters involving utility and design patents, patent prosecution, patent infringement and litigation, licensing, and intellectual property strategy. His broader practice includes copyrights, trade secrets, employee invention and intellectual property ownership disputes, and counseling businesses concerning the development and protection of intellectual property assets.
Mr. Cohen has represented clients ranging from individual entrepreneurs and emerging companies to established businesses. His practice combines intellectual property prosecution with litigation and enforcement, allowing him to advise clients not only on obtaining intellectual property rights, but also on protecting and defending those rights when disputes arise.
Mr. Cohen earned his law degree from California Western School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego. He is admitted to practice in California and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a registered patent attorney.
First Admitted: 2003, California
Professional Webpage: https://patentlawip.com/about-us/michael-n-cohen-esq/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- National Association of Patent Practitioners
- Beverly Hills Bar Association - Order of Distinguished Attorneys
- America Bar Association - Intellectual Property Division
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Batra v. Popsugar Inc., 4:18-cv-03752-HSG (N.D. Cal.) Obtained a $2,115,000 settlement for Plaintiff, a social influencer, as well as other class members, against Popsugar in a class action lawsuit for copyright infringement, intentional interference with contractual relations and unfair competition claims, and other claims., 2020
Videos
- Entertainment Tonight Interview regarding Kanye West Music Video and IP issues, Entertainment Tonight Interview re Kanye West, 2016
- Featured as an intellectual property attorney in a CBS KENS 5 video report examining NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s lawsuit over unauthorized merchandise using his name and likeness. Michael N. Cohen discussed trademark enforcement, publicity rights, and the importance of protecting an athlete’s personal brand and licensing opportunities., From Basketball Court to Federal Court: Why Wemby’s Lawsuit Over Unauthorized Merch May Be “Setting a Precedent” for His Career, Sports, Entertainment, Apparel, E-Commerce, Consumer Products, 2024
- Trademark Issues, Patents, Trademarks
Representative Clients
- Target; Kohls Department Stores; Walgreens; We Are The Fallen; Hyundia-Kia Motors; The 88; Sinomax Enterprises; Damon Wayans; Nigel Lythgoe; JVM Co. Ltd; Night Ranger; ; Sick Puppies; Bio Gold Fuels; Villa San Juliette Holdings; EMI Software; Eurocinema; Bandai; Atlantis Energy; KOI Group.
Special Licenses / Certifications
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Washington, DC
- United States District Court - Southern District of California
- State Bar of California
- United States District Court - Central District of California
- United States Federal Patent Bar, Registered to Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2001
- United States District Court - Northern District of California
Pro bono / Community Service
- Jewish Federation Legal Division, 2010
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts: Arizona State University, 1996
- Juris Doctorate: Southwestern University School of Law, 2002
White Papers
- Trademark infringement can cause consumer confusion, weaken brand value, and divert sales. In this practical guide, intellectual property attorney Michael N. Cohen outlines the steps business owners should take when they discover possible infringement. The article explains how to evaluate whether another mark is confusingly similar, preserve evidence, assess the potential business harm, and determine an appropriate enforcement strategy. It also discusses cease-and-desist letters, negotiation, mediation, litigation, and the remedies potentially available to trademark owners. The guide emphasizes the importance of evaluating the strength and scope of trademark rights before taking action, as well as proactively protecting brands through federal registration and ongoing monitoring., How to Handle Trademark Infringement: A Step-by-Step Guide for Business Owners, Startups, E-Commerce, Apparel, Entertainment, Consumer Products, Technology, Retail, 2025
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Interview, Legal Ramifications of Robert Sillerman's Stake in the Elvis Presley Enterprise, BBC News Radio, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2006
- Michael N. Cohen was quoted by Foundr.com in a practical guide for inventors and entrepreneurs considering patent protection. The article explains what patents protect, the principal requirements for patentability, and the steps involved in pursuing a patent application. It also examines the costs, timing, business considerations, and potential competitive advantages associated with patent protection, helping founders evaluate whether filing a patent application is appropriate for their inventions and commercial objectives., Quoted Patent Attorney, How to Patent an Idea. And Is it Really Worth it?, Foundr.com, Startups, Technology, Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Product Development, 2021
- Michael N. Cohen was quoted by The New York Times regarding “genericide,” the process through which a famous trademark may become the generic name for an entire category of products or services. Cohen explained how widespread public use can cause a brand name to describe the product itself rather than identify its commercial source. The article examines well-known examples and discusses how trademark owners can preserve distinctiveness through proper brand usage, consumer education, monitoring, and enforcement., Quoted Intellectual Property Attorney, How a Brand Name Becomes Generic, The New York Times, Consumer Products, Retail, Branding, Advertising, E-Commerce, 2019
- Michael N. Cohen was quoted by Business Insider regarding a trademark cancellation dispute between a small business and Oura Health, the multibillion-dollar company known for the Oura Ring. Cohen explained how larger companies may use proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to challenge existing federal registrations as their brands and product lines expand. He also discussed the substantial cost of trademark litigation, the pressure these proceedings can place on smaller businesses, and why many disputes settle before trial., Quoted Intellectual Property Attorney, Why a Small-Business Owner Is Waging an Expensive Battle for Its Name Against Oura, the $2.5 Billion Health-Tech Company, Business Insider, Small Business, Startups, Health Technology, Consumer Products, E-Commerce, 2023
- Michael N. Cohen was quoted by Billboard regarding the growing market for unauthorized music merchandise involving artists such as Taylor Swift and KISS. Cohen provided intellectual property analysis concerning when merchandise using an artist’s name, branding, imagery, or recognizable references may create trademark or other infringement concerns. The article examines the financial and brand-related harm caused by bootleg merchandise, as well as the enforcement challenges artists and rights holders face across online marketplaces, social media, and live events., Quoted Intellectual Property Attorney, From Taylor Swift to KISS, the Bootleg Music Merch Business Is Hurting Artists—And It’s Getting Worse, Billboard Magazine, Entertainment, Music, Apparel, Retail, E-Commerce, Consumer Products, 2024
- Michael N. Cohen was quoted by DailyMail.com regarding the trademark issues surrounding Meghan Markle’s consumer brand and anticipated line of food and lifestyle products. Cohen provided legal analysis concerning trademark registration, brand protection, and the potential obstacles businesses may face when selecting and seeking protection for a new brand., Quoted Trademark Law Expert, The Mystery of Meghan’s Jam… From a Sticky Issue With the Trademark to the Montecito Farmers Who Know Nothing About Its Production, DailyMail.com, Consumer Products, Food And Beverage, Retail, Entertainment, 2025
- IP and Business Issues for the Australian Technology Company's Entry to the US Market,, Speaker, IP and Business Issues for the Australian Technology Company's Entry to the US Market,, Canberra Australia Business Council, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2007
- Television interview, El Chapo and trademarks, EstrellaTV Noticias 62, 2016
- KSRO AM/CNN Affiliate Radio Interview: US Supreme Court's Ruling Impacting Internet Pornography, May 2008
- Speaker, Nanotechnology and Clean Technology Forum, San Bernardino, California, August 2008
- California Apparel News "LA Based Wildfox Couture Pulls Goods After Hells Angels Lawsuit", September 2011
- Interview by the Wall Street Journal regaring intellectual property issues of Pinterest. , Interview, In Shift, Pinterest Says to Pin Your Own Stuff, The Wall Street Journal, 2012
- Interview regarding the landmark decision of the Redskins Trademark Cancellation., Interview, Bryan Suits Shows, KABC 640 AM Radio, 2014
- Retiro Empresarial with Carlos Marquez, Rancho Mirage,California, Speaker, 2014
- LA Gadget Expo, guest lecturer regarding IP rights, 2015
- Television interview regarding Kanye West's Famous music video, June 27, 2016, Interview, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgYJSUr7YpU, Entertainment Tonight, 2016
- Black Chyna vs Kardashians regarding trademark dispute, December 8, 2016, Interview, hollywoodlife.com/2016/12/08/kardashian-blac-chyna-trademark-fight-dream-name/, Hollywoodlife.com,, 2016
- Interview "Biotech 'trial of the century' could determine who owns CRISPR" December 16, 2016, Interview, Northern California Record, interview "Biotech 'trial of the century' could determine who owns CRISPR" December 16, 2016, Northern California Record, 2016
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Finalist, National Trial Competition (NTC), 2002
- Paul W. Wildman Scholar
Honors
- Cohen IP Law Group, P.C. was ranked by Chambers and Partners in the 2026 USA Spotlight Guide for Intellectual Property in California. Chambers rankings are based on independent research evaluating legal ability, client service, professional conduct, and market recognition., USA Spotlight Intellectual Property Law, Chambers and Partners, 2026
- Certified Member, Million Dollar Advocate Forum
- AV® Rated Peer Reviewed Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell
- Top Trademark Lawyers, Intellectual Property Today Magazine, 2010
- Top Trademark Lawyers, Intellectual Property Today Magazine, 2014
- Top Trademark Lawyers, Intellectual Property Today Magazine, 2009
- Top Trademark Lawyers, Intellectual Property Today Magazine, 2015
- Top Trademark Lawyers, Intellectual Property Today Magazine, 2012
- Top Trademark Lawyers, Intellectual Property Today Magazine, 2011
- Trademark Infringement Law Firm of the Year California, Global Law Experts, 2016
Industry Groups
- Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Patent Law
- Startups
- Technology
- Trademark Law
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2021, 2023 - 2027
- Rising Stars: 2012 - 2014