Raymond I. Geraldson, Jr.
Raymond I. Geraldson, Jr. has served as principal trademark counsel to industry leading national and international companies for more than thirty years. Describing his approach to practice, he notes "We partner with our clients. We treat our relationship with clients as a long-term investment, not a short-term opportunity."
With a practice encompassing litigation, transactions, mediation, and counseling on trademark, copyright and unfair competition law throughout the United States and abroad, Geraldson is widely recognized as one of the leading trademark attorneys in the world.
Having litigated hundreds of cases on behalf of domestic and international corporations, Geraldson's intellectual property career and practice mirrors the sea change in global commerce through the years. Today, in addition to numerous traditional businesses, he represents many clients in high-technology and biotechnology fields. His practice covers a range of 21st Century disputes over, not only trademark infringement, but trade dress, false advertising claims, trademark dilution and Internet cyberpiracy.
Geraldson brings his wealth of international brand portfolio experience to bear in strategic planning and counseling on brand selection, clearance, registration, and acquisition of intellectual property rights, as well as protection and enforcement issues. "By working together in the selection of a company name and brand names, we help establish assets that will be invaluable to the long-term success of the client. Then we help implement business practices to protect those assets over the life of the business," he adds.
For more than a decade, Geraldson has been selected by his peers for listing in The Best Lawyers in America for intellectual property law. He has been recognized by The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers in the field of intellectual property law, including the designation of a "pre-eminent lawyer." Since the inception of this honor, he has been selected as an Illinois "Super Lawyer" in the field of intellectual property. He is also listed in the Guide to the World's Leading Trade Mark Practioners, and was selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois.
His clientele, years of experience in the trademark bar community, and history of sophisticated litigation matters have gained Geraldson respect among clients and adversaries alike. "I try to be respectful of people, even if we do not agree," he continues. "In the end, I find that this approach benefits our clients. I'm proud of the fact that significant matters have been referred to me by opposing counsel."
Geraldson has served as president of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC) and on the Board of Directors of the International Trademark Association (INTA). He also was a founding member of Lawyers for the Creative Arts, which provides pro bono representation to the arts community. He served on its Board of Directors and as its President. In November 1998 he was awarded the Thomas R. Leavens Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts in Illinois.
Academia has also been a part of Geraldson's professional life for decades. He taught LLM-level courses in trademark and unfair competition law as an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School for over 25 years, and now serves on the Law School's Intellectual Property Center Board of Advisors.
Geraldson has been active in civic and community organizations throughout his career, including service for 10 years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Kendall College, Chicago, Illinois.
Industry
Expertise
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Automobiles & Components
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Consumer Durables & Apparel
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Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure
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Media
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Retailing
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Food & Drug Retailing
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Household & Personal Products
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Energy
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Banks
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Diversified Financials
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Health Care Equipment & Services
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Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
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Transportation
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Software & Services
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Technology Hardware & Equipment
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Materials
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Telecommunication Services
Representative
Matters
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3COM Corp. v. 3COM Services, LLC, No. 3:06cv2997 (N.D. Ohio 2006) (for 3COM Corporation)
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SWIMC, Inc. v. Fine Paints of Europe, Inc., 1:06-cv-00194 (D. Del. 2006) (for SWIMC)
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Hamedani v. Bayer Corp., No. 3:05cv2781 (N.D. Cal. 2005) (for Bayer Corporation)
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Nike Inc v. La Porte Holdings Inc., No. 2:05cv1350 (C.D. Ca. 2005) (for Nike)
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BSH Home Appliances Corporation v. Electrolux Home Products Inc., No. 8:05cv46 (C.D. Ca. 2005) (for BSH Home Appliances Corporation)
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BSH Home Appliances Corp. v. AJ Madison Corp., No. cv-05 4127 (E.D.N.Y. 2005) (for BSH Home Appliances Corporation)
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Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. v. Robert Bosch Tool Corp., No. 1:05cv1171 (N.D. Ill. 2005) (for Robert Bosch Tool Corp.)
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BSH Home Appliances Corp. v. Goldman Associates, No. 04-57156 (9th Cir. 2004), app. dismissed, BSH Home Appliances Corp. v. Goldman Associates, No. 8:04cv745 (C.D. Cal. 2004) (for Plaintiff/Appellee BSH Home Appliances Corporation)
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Bayer Healthcare LLC v. Nagrom, Inc., 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19454; 72 U.S.P.Q.2D (BNA) 1751 (D. Kan. 2004) (for Bayer Healthcare LLC)
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Nike Inc v. Circle Group Internet, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9341 (N.D. Ill 2004). (for Nike )
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Darden Corp. v. IHOP Corp, No. 6:04cv149 (M.D. Fla. 2004) (for Darden Corporation/Olive Garden Restaurants division)
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BSH Home Appliances Corp. v. Big John's Health Center, No. CIV-03-138-E-BLW (D. Idaho 2003) (for BSH Home Appliances Corporation)
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Bayer Corp. v. Custom Sch. Frames, 259 F. Supp. 2d 503, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6850 (E.D. La. 2003) (for Bayer Corporation)
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Tiffany NJ Inc. v. 42nd Parallel N., No. 1:03cv905 (N.D. Ill. 2003) (for 42nd Parallel N.)
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BSH Home Appliances Corp. v. Krakowski, No. 2:03cv71311 (E.D. Mich. 2003) (for BSH Home Appliances Corporation)
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S-B Power Tool Co. v. Ryobi Tech Inc. , No. 1:02cv1056 (N.D. Ill. 2002) (for S-B Power Tool Co.)
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BSH Home Appliances Corp. v. Distrib. Direct, No. 2:02cv306 (D. Utah 2002) (for BSH Home Appliances Corporation)
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Han Beauty, Inc. v. Alberto-Culver Co., 236 F.3d 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (for Alberto-Culver Co.)
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3COM Corp. v Magitech, Inc., No. C 01-20446 (N.D. Cal. 2001) (for 3COM Corporation)
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Mills Ltd PRT v. Onan's Adventure, No. 1:01cv3740 (N.D. Ill. 2001) (for Onan's Adventure)
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S-B Power Tool Co. v. Grizzly Ind. Inc., No. 1:00cv8046 (N.D. Ill. 2000) (for S-B Power Tool Co.)
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Velocity Courier, Inc. v. Velocity Express, No. 1:00cv4709 (N.D. Ill. 2000) (for Velocity Express)
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Bayer Corp. v. Selfcare Inc, No. 3:00cv40 (N.D. Ind. 2000) (for Bayer Corporation)
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N.V. Organon v. Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., No. 99cv11674 (S.D.N.Y. 1999) (for Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
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The Sherwin-Williams Co. v. The Glidden Co., No. 1:98cv2634 (N.D. Ohio 1998) (for The Sherwin-Williams Company)
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Brach Van Houten Holding, Inc. v. Nestle' USA Inc. , No. 1:98cv383 (E.D. Tenn. 1998) (for Brach Van Houten Holding Inc.)
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LPS Laboratories Inc. v. Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands, Inc., No. 1:97cv2524 (N.D. Ga. 1997) (for Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands, Inc.)
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Dowbrands L.P. v. Portland Software, No. IP97-0197 (S.D. Ind. 1997) (for Portland Software)
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Pilot Corp. v. US Robotics, Inc. , No. 5:97cv20168 (N.D. Cal. 1997) (for US Robotics, Inc.)
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Victory Beauty Syst. v. Hudnall, No. 1:96cv8241 (N.D. Ill. 1996) (for Victory Beauty)
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European Touch Co. v. Sally Beauty Co., No. 2:96cv1015 (E.D. Wis. 1996) (for Sally Beauty Co.)
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Bayer Corp. v. MLO Products, Inc, No. 2:96cv1415 (E.D. Cal. 1996) (for Bayer Corporation)
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Behring Diagnostic v. Bayer Corp., No. 1:95cv5718 (S.D.N.Y. 1995) (for Bayer Corporation)
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Brach Van Houten Holding, Inc. v. Save Brach Coalition, No. 94-3436 (7th Cir. 1994) (for Brach Van Houten Holding, Inc.)
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Lisa Frank Inc. v. Minnesota Mining, No. 4:94cv567 (D. Minn. 1994) (for Minnesota Mining [3M])
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DowBrands, L.P. v. Helene Curtis, Inc., 863 F. Supp. 963 (D. Minn. 1994) (for Helene Curtis, Inc.)
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American Cyanamid Co. v. Hall Laboratories, No. 3:93cv1431 (D. Or. 1993) (for American Cyanamid Co.)
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American Cyanamid Co. v. Nature's Bounty, Inc., No. 0:92cv. 3208 (E.D.N.Y. 1992) (for American Cyanamid Co.)
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EJ Brach Corp. v. Sweet Productions, No. 9:92cv5788 (E.D.N.Y. 1992) (for EJ Brach Corp.)
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American Cyanamid Co, et al v. Jameson Pharma, No. 8:91cv696 (C.D. Cal. 1991) (for American Cyanamid Co.)
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American Cyanamid Co. v. Tishcon Corp., No. 9:91cv155 (E.D.N.Y. 1991) (for American Cyanamid Co.)
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A-Veda Corp. v. Aura, Inc. (Helene Curtis), 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16335; 19 U.S.P.Q.2D (BNA) 1864 (D. Minn. 1991) (for Aura, Inc. (Helene Curtis))
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Ilapak Research v. Record SpA, No. 91-1609 (7th Cir. 1991), app. dismissed, Ilapak Research & Dev. S.A. v. Record SpA, 762 F. Supp. 1318 (N.D. Ill. 1991) (on behalf of Record SpA)
Professional
Activities
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The John Marshall Law School
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Adjunct Professor, teaching L.L.M. degree courses in trademark and unfair competition law and trademark litigation (1972-2001); presently serving on Board of Advisors
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International Trademark Association
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Member, Board of Directors (1985-1987)
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Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago
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Past President (1991-1992); Board of Directors (1984-1986, 1992-1993)
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Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Chicago
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Board of Directors 1974 to present; President (1976-1978)
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American Intellectual Property Law Association
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Member
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American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
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Member
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Seventh Circuit Bar Association
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Member
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Illinois State Bar Association
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Member of Council, Section of Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, 1978-1982; Chairman, 1980-1981
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Chicago Bar Association
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Member
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Lawyers Club of Chicago
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Member
Recent Publications
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Chapter on "The Quest for Coherence in United States Trademark Dilution Law," co-author (with Uli Widmaier) in Festschrift fuer Jochen Pagenberg, (Munich 2006).
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Chapter on "Evolution of Nontraditional Marks into the United States," co-author (with Matthew A. Griffin) in Harmonization of the Trademark Law, Anniversary Publication for Alexander von Mühlendahl (2005).
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"Review of the 1991 Trademark Decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit," Co-Author, The American University Law Review (Spring 1992).
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"Developments in Trademark and Unfair Competition Law," 24:1 The John Marshall Law Review (1990).