Bryan Sugar

Partner

Bryan.Sugar@lewisbrisbois.com

Bryan Sugar is a partner in the Chicago office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice.

Bryan Sugar has more than 20 years of experience handling complex intellectual property litigation and is nationally recognized for his experience and knowledge as a litigator and counselor in the field.

Bryan has litigated intellectual property disputes on behalf of a number of the world's largest and most sophisticated brands. He has earned recognition in the World Trademark Review 1000: The World's Leading Trademark Professionals based on his successful representation of clients in courts and administrative proceedings. Bryan represents his clients before federal district, state, and appellate courts, and in proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also represents brand owners in domain name disputes under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) and Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA). In addition, he represents clients in trademark prosecution and counseling matters, conducting advertising reviews, and manages global trademark portfolios for clients in multiple industries. Bryan also has extensive experience in corporate trademark licensing; IT agreements, mergers, and acquisitions; and intellectual property audits.

Since joining Lewis Brisbois nearly a decade ago, Bryan has become the go-to litigation counsel for the country’s largest insurance companies and their insureds for high stakes litigation matters involving claims of trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, copyright infringement, right of publicity violations, defamation, and technology-related contract disputes.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Intellectual Property & Technology
  • Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)

Additional Experience

Admissions

Illinois

United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Associations

  • Host Committee Chair, First Chair
  • Founder, Madison Club

Awards & Honors

  • World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000 – Ranked Among World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (2021-2023)
  • Law Review, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law

Juris Doctor, 2001

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bachelor of Arts, 1996

Representative Matters

  • Defended Fifth Sun Holdings, Inc., Amazon, and Groupon in a case alleging copyright infringement. Sara M. Lyons v. Fifth Sun Holdings, Inc. et al, 8:21-cv-00995-JLS-ADS (C.D. Cal.).
  • Represented Red Roof Franchising, LLC and RRI Financial, Inc. in a case alleging copyright, trademark and trade dress infringement and breach of contract. Red Roof Franchising, LLC et al. v. Ganpati, Inc. et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-05843-SDM-EPD (S.D. Ohio)
  • Represented Panda Restaurant group, Inc. in a case alleging cybersquatting. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. v. Enymedia, Inc., Case No. 2:21-cv-03560 (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defended Innova Supply, Inc.in a case alleging trademark and trade dress infringement, unfair competition, false designation of origin, false advertising, and related common law claims. Liphatech, Inc. v. Innova Supply, Inc. d/b/a Solutions Pest & Lawn, Case No. 21-cv-312 (E.D. Wis.)
  • Represented CNA Financial Corporation alleging trademark infringement, false advertising, unfair competition, and common law unfair competition. CNA Financial Corporation v. NSIC Holdings LLC d/b/a Liberty Auto Warranty et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-00212 (N.D. Ill.).
  • Represented YIP, LLC in a case alleging trademark counterfeiting. YIP, LLC v. The Individuals, Business Entities, And Unincorporated Associations Identified On Schedule “A”, CASE NO. 21-60691-CIV-SMITH (SD FL)
  • Defended Red Roof Inns., Inc. and RRI Financial, Inc. in a case alleging Sherman Act Section 1 violations, Utah Antitrust Act, and tortious interference in regard to usage of keyword internet searches. Travelpass Group, LLC et al. v. Caesars Entertainment Corporation et al., Case No. 5:18-cv-00153-RWS-CMC (E.D. Tex.)
  • Represented Allied Van Lines, Inc. in a case alleging trademark infringement, false advertising and designation of origin, federal and common law unfair competition, and cybersquatting. Allied Van Lines, Inc. v. iMove, Inc., Case No. 1:17-cv-08021 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Represented North American Van Lines, Inc. in a case alleging willful trademark infringement, cybersquatting, violation of the Indiana Trade Secrets Act and common law unfair competition. North American Van Lines, Inc. v. North American Moving & Storage, Inc., Case No. 18-cv-196 (N.D. Ind.)
  • Defended Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.in a case alleging violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act, common law fraud, tortious interference, and breach of contract. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian et al. v. Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc. et al., Case No. 1:16-cv-06787 (N.D. Ill.).
  • Defended Radwell International, Inc. in a case alleging trademark infringement and dilution, false advertising, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices. Rockwell Automation, Inc. v Radwell International, Inc., Case No. 2:15-cv-00496-JPS (E.D. Wis.)
  • Represented Todd Graves Gold School, LLC in a case alleging cybersquatting. Todd Graves Golf School, LLC v. Jerry D. Martin, Case No. 5:21-sv-00450-JWH-SP (C.D. Cal.)
  • Represented Insurance King Agency, Inc. in a case alleging trademark infringement, federal and common law unfair competition and deceptive trade practices. Insurance King Agency, Inc. v. Accurate Insurance Services, Inc. et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-50023 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Panther Wholesale, Inc. in a case alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition, passing off, false advertising and false designation, counterfeiting and related Illinois state charges involving use of the trademark and trade name “Pizza Puff” or “Pizza Puffs”. Illinois Tamale Co., Inc. v. Panther Wholesale, Inc., Case No. 1:17-cv-04173 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Hylete LLC in a case alleging trademark infringement, unfair competition, violation of the Federal Lanham Act, common law trademark and state unfair competition. Hybrid Athletics, LLC v. Hylete LLC et al., Case No. 3:17-cv-01767-VAB (D. Conn.)
  • Defended Blavity, Inc. in a case alleging copyright infringement, removal of copyright management information, and a DMCA violation regarding a photograph. Mark McKenna v. Blavity, Inc., Case No. 2:21-CV-06068-FMO-JPR (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defended Blavity, Inc. in a case alleging copyright infringement and false copyright management information involving a photograph. Johnson, Eric v. Blavity, Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-966 (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Defended @mortgage, LLC in a case alleging trademark infringement, dilution, unfair competition, deceptive business practices, and unfair competition. AT WORLD PROPERTIES, LLC v. @mortgage, LLC, Case No. 1:21-cv-02097 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Codal, Inc. in a case alleging breach of contract, fraud, and unjust abridgment. Same Condition LLC v Codal Inc., Case No. 2019 L 005407 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois)
  • Defended Codal, Inc. in a case alleging violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, breach of contract, and fraudulent inducement of contract. Aerospace Data Solutions, et al. v. Codal, Inc., Case No. 1:20-cv-06237 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Homedirect, Inc. in a case alleging breach of contract and violation of the Wage Payment and Collection Act brought by a past employee. Peter v. Homedirect, Inc. d/b/a HOMEDIRECT USA et al., Case No. 2014 L 4520 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois)
  • Represented MXD Group, Inc. in an action alleging breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and other unfair business practices. MXD Group, Inc. v New Latitude Moving Company, Case No. 2:15-cv-02682-GCS-EPD (S.D. Ohio)
  • Represented Community Tax, LLC in a case alleging copyright infringement and trade dress infringement. Community Tax, LLC v. National Tax Debt, LLC, Case No. 8:19-cv-00135 (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defended Houston Hotel Owner in defense of a trademark and cybersquatting action involving use to the name WHITEHALL for hotel services. The Whitehall, LLC v. Houston Hotel Owner, LLC (ND IL)
  • Defended Nicole Brayden Gifts in a trademark and trade dress action involving the advertisement of the title RECIPE FOR AN AMAZING WOMEN in connection with homeware products. Cathedral Art Metal Company, Inc. v. Nicloe Bryaden Gifts, LLC (ND GA)
  • Represented Golf Solutions in the defense of an unfair competition and patent infringement action in connection with a golf flagstick reflector. See Golf Solutions I, LLC v. Prestige Flag Manufacturing Company, Inc. (WD WI)
  • Defended Dave Arbogast Buick-GMC, Inc. in connection with a copyright infringement case involving music downloads from the Freeplay website. Freeplay Music, LLC v. Dave Arbogast Buick-GMC, Inc. (S.D. Ohio.)
  • Defended Landmark Homes of Tennessee, Inc. in copyright action filed by Frank Betz. Frank Betz’s complaint alleges that the copyrights to several of its architectural designs have been infringed. See Frank Betz Associates, Inc. v. Landmark Homes of Tennessee, Inc. et al. (M.D. Tenn.)
  • Defended Armstrong Construction, Inc. in copyright action brought by Design Basics. Design Basics, LLC v. Armstrong Construction Inc., et al. (C.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Henderlong Homes, LLC in a copyright infringement action. Design Basics, LLC v. Henderlong Homes, LLC et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-00324-TLS-SLC (N.D. Ind.)
  • Defended Catamaran, Inc. in a trademark and trade name infringement action. Shipcom Wireless, Inc. v. Catamaran, Inc. (S.D. Tex.)
  • Defended Mach Speed Technologies, LLC et al in a copyright action brought by photographer alleging copyright infringement and right of publicity violations for use of a photograph on product packaging. AT Williams et al v. Mach Speed Technologies, LLC et al (N.D.Ga.)
  • Obtained precedential ruling that for the first time in the Eleventh Circuit adopted the Supreme Court’s eBay decision in holding that a plaintiff seeking preliminary injunction on infringement claims can no longer presume harm, see Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc. v. Mortimer et al., Case No. 2:14-cv-00175 (N.D. Ga)
  • Represented Dawson group, Inc. in an action brought for request declaratory judgment over ownership of software developed by Dawson, relief for breach of Sunago’s NDA and breach of contract and unfair competition based on use of the software. Dawson Group, Inc. v. Sunago Systems, LLC et al., Case No. 16-cv-00623-SMY-SCW (S.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Old World Industries, LLC in a patent action brought by Winplus North America, Inc. alleging patent invalidity and non-infringement. Winplus North America, Inc. v Old World Industries, LLC, Case No. 14-cv-01961ODW (KKx) (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defended Westminster, Inc. in an action alleging unfair business practices and a Lanham Act violation. PMT Holdings, Ltd. V. Westminster, Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-04251 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Igor Stavnitser in an action involving declaratory judgment over software ownership rights and related business practice and tort charges. NASS SOLUTIONS, INC. et al. v. Igor Stavnitser et al., Case No. 2015CH0668.
  • Defended Primal Wear, Inc. in an action regarding trademark infringement and unfair business practices, including a request for the cancellation of four trademarks owned by Primal Wear, Inc. Primal Mode, Inc. v Primal Wear, Inc., Case No. 1:17-cv-06081, (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended Village Green Management Company, LLC in an action alleging copyright infringement and removal of copyright management information in regard to a photograph. Romanowicz, Adam v. Village Green Management Company, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-02766, (N.D. Ill.)
  • Represented Other World Computing, Inc. in an action alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition and cybersquatting charges. Other World Computing, Inc. v. OTHER WORLD TECHNOLOGY, LLC, Case No. 1:19-cv-05749 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Represented Other World Computing, Inc. in an action alleging breach of contract, conversion and violations of Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Other World Computing, Inc. v. Andrew James Gerth, Case No. 1:1-20-cv- 1174 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended EC Grow, Inc. in an action alleging non-infringement of EC Grow Inc.’s LIGHTING FAST trademark. EC Grow Inc. v. Crystal Visions, Inc., Case No. 1:17-CV-07490 (N.D. Ill.)
  • Defended New Tang Dynasty Television Inc. in an action alleging copyright infringement of various photographs. Martinka, Paul v. New Tang Dynasty Television Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-5170-JMF (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Defended enVista, LLC, enVista Interactive, and RetailPoint II, LLC in an action alleging trademark infringement unfair competition. Inspire Commerce, Inc. v. Envista, LLC d/b/a Enspire Commerce et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-3807 (S.D. Ind.)
  • Defended Epoch Times, Inc. in an action alleging copyright infringement and removal and alteration of copyright management information in regard to copyrighted photographs. Farrington, William v. Epoch Times, Inc. et al., Case No. 19-cv-11896 (VSB) (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Defended Epoch Times, Inc. in an action alleging copyright infringement and removal and alteration of copyright management information in regard to a photograph of Bill De Blasio, then mayor New York City. Sadowski, Christopher v. Epoch Times, Inc., Case No. 1:20-cv-2108 (S.D.N.Y.)
  • Represented Epoch Group Inc. d/b/a Epoch Media Group in Epoch Group Inc. d/b/a Epoch in a defamation action. Media Group v. Los Angeles Magazine, LLC, Case No. CV 20-4680-GW-JEMx (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defended Ashley Stewart, Inc. DBA Ashley Stewart in an action alleging copyright infringement of a two-dimensional artwork for textile printing purposes. Texkhan, Inc. DBA Hyup Sung T.R.D. v. Ashley Stewart, Inc. DBA Ashley Stewart, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-02745-DSF (C.D. Cal.)
  • Defended Cyron, Inc and Ali Javadi in an action alleging false advertising, unfair and deceptive practices, and unfair competition. Custom Dynamics LLC v. Cyron Inc. et al., Case No. 5:19-cv-00278-BO

Offices Held

Board Member, Chicago Diabetes Project