Robert C. Cumbow
Practice Emphasis
Intellectual Property, Hospitality, Beverage and Franchise & Distribution
BAR ADMISSIONS
Washington, 1992
______________________________________________________________________Bob heads Graham & Dunn’s Intellectual Property practice. He counsels a wide variety of clients on intellectual property, advertising, privacy and Internet issues. Bob’s practice includes counseling on issues relating to trademark search, clearance, prosecution, and policing; copyright and publicity right clearance; licenses, assignments, contracts, releases, publishing agreements; alcoholic beverage labeling, licensing, advertising, and regulatory compliance; communications and media law; intellectual property litigation; domain name disputes; advertising and privacy compliance; contests and sweepstakes; and Web site audits, terms and condition statements, and privacy policies. His clients have included wineries; beverage and specialty food companies; telecommunication and wireless companies; news and entertainment media; computer hardware and software companies; video and board game developers; advertising agencies; a major league baseball team; artists, arts organizations, independent film makers, playwrights, authors, and musicians; and major international retailers, manufacturers, and distributors of books, appliances, clothing, pharmaceuticals, and food products.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS/TRANSACTIONS
Litigation
Represented major manufacturer in obtaining injunction against use of its trademarks in domain names in widely reported and cited case.
Represented a Washington state oyster grower against a seafood distributor in a dispute over the use of the name of a variety of Pacific oyster. The case was settled through mediation.
Represented commercial fisherman featured in television series “The Deadliest Catch” in protecting and licensing trademarks and personal-image branding.
Legal Advisor - Film
Served as legal advisor on numerous independent films, including Money Buys Happiness, Christmas, Buffalo Bill’s Defunct, Busting Out, 8 Minutes to Love, Gory Gory Hallelujah and Rent’s Due.
PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Bob is a prolific speaker and presenter on various topics. Following is a listing of publications and presentations from the past three years. A complete list is available upon request.
Speaker, “Online Contests and Sweepstakes,” Technology Law Conference, Seattle (December, 2007).
Speaker, “Intellectual Property Basics for Academic Professionals,” National Council of Graduate School Deans Annual Meeting, Seattle (December, 2007).
Speaker, “Copyright and Contract Law for Writers,” Tacoma Arts Symposium (November, 2007).
Speaker, “Ethical Issues in Trademark and Copyright Practice,” King County Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section (November, 2007).
Speaker, “Cutting-Edge Issues in Trademark Law,” Paralegal Program, Highline Community College (October, 2007).
Speaker, “Trademark and Web Issues for Wineries,” Winery & Wine Distribution Law Conference (August 6-7, 2007).
Author, "News from the Trenches in the War of the Words," Legal Secretaries International Inc. In Brief, Vol. 41 (July 2007).
Speaker, "Rights of Publicity," Washington Lawyers for the Arts Brown Bag Series (July 2007).
Speaker, "Prosecuting US Trademark Applications," Trademark Paralegal CLE (June 2007).
Speaker, “Rights of Publicity,” Washington Lawyers for the Arts Brown Bag Series (June, 2007).
Speaker, “Prosecuting US Trademark Applications,” at “Intellectual Property Law Practice for Paralegals,” 11th Annual Conference, Seattle, WA (June, 2007).
Speaker, “Domain Name Dispute Resolution,” Washington State Paralegal Association Annual Meeting (April, 2007).
Speaker, “Greatest Hits of 2006: Recent Developments in Trademark and Right of Publicity,” Washington State Bar Association Intellectual Property Institute (March, 2007).
Speaker, “Avoiding Common Errors in Legal Writing,” NALS of Greater Seattle (March, 2007).
Speaker, “Avoiding Common Errors in Legal Writing,” Washington Young Lawyers’ Division “Bridging the Gap” Conference (March, 2007).
Author, “Copyright Fair Use for Documentary Film Makers,” The Copyright and New Media Law Newsletter (February, 2007).
Speaker, “Avoiding Common Errors in Legal Writing,” NALS Super Saturday CLE (January 2007).
Speaker, “Common Mistakes about Copyright,” Art at Work Symposium (November, 2006).
Speaker, “Trademark Basics,” “IP for the Non-Specialist” CLE, King County Bar Association (November, 2006).
Speaker, “Cutting-Edge Issues in Trademark Law,” Paralegal Program, Highline Community College (October, 2006).
Speaker, “Clear Writing and the Written Opinion,” Washington Judicial Conference (September, 2006).
Speaker, “Avoiding Common Trademark and Copyright Mistakes,” Corporate Counsel Section, Washington State Bar Association (September, 2006).
Speaker, “Publishing Contracts for Writers,” Washington Lawyers for the Arts Brown Bag (September, 2006).
Author, quarterly articles on language and usage, Bar News, Washington State Bar Association (2003 - present).
Panel Moderator, “International Property Ethics Panel,” Washington Lawyers for the Arts (December, 2005).
Speaker, “Fair Use of Names and Faces,” Washington Lawyers for the Arts (December, 2005).
Speaker, “Advertising Law Basics and Current Issues,” Seattle University Law School CLE (December, 2005).
Speaker, “Trademarks for Wine Makers,” Washington State Bar Association International Law Section CLE “In Vino Universitas” (November, 2005).
Speaker, “Trademark Licensing: Don’t Go Naked,” Washington State Bar Association Webcast CLE (October, 2005).
Panelist, “Resolving Domain Name Disputes,” Domain Roundtable (May, 2005).
Speaker, “Trademark Basics,” King County Bar Association CLE “IP for the Non-Specialist” (May, 2005).
Speaker, “Trademark Basics for Winemakers,” Winemaking for Lawyers (May, 2005).
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Adjunct Professor of Law, Seattle University
Volunteer and Former President, Washington Lawyers for the Arts
Intellectual Property Section, Washington State Bar Association
Member, International Trademark Association
Member, Copyright Society of the USA
Member, Washington State Bar Association
RECOGNITION
Seattle University School of Law, Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, 2008
Washington Law & Politics, “Super Lawyer,” 2001 – 2007
The Best Lawyers in America, 2006
EDUCATION
J.D., summa cum laude, University of Puget Sound School of Law, 1991
M.A., English, Seattle University, 1969
B.A., English, Seattle University, 1967
