Robert C. Cumbow
Practice Emphasis
Intellectual Property, Hospitality and Franchise & Distribution
BAR ADMISSIONS
Washington, 1992
______________________________________________________________________As a partner with Graham & Dunn’s Intellectual Property practice, Bob 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, and 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 a major manufacturer in obtaining an 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.
Expert Witness testimony regarding value and management of trademark assets, Nye v. Hughes (Arbitration, King County Superior Court, Washington, 2009)
Legal Advisor - Film
Served as legal advisor on numerous independent films.
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.
Author, “Pleonasm,” Bar News, Washington State Bar Association, October 2009
Speaker, “New Issues in Trademark Law,” Paralegal Program, Highline Community College, Des Moines WA (September 2009)
Speaker, “Understanding Publishing Contracts,” Seattle Chapter, Association of Freelance Editors, Seattle WA (September 2009)
Speaker, “The Flavors of Intellectual Property,” IP for the Non-IP Lawyer CLE, Seattle WA (September 2009)
Speaker, “Business Models That Work,” Legal Fees in Washington CLE, Seattle WA (August 2009)
Speaker, “Trademarks for Wine Makers,” Winery and Wine Distribution Law Conference, Quincy, Washington (August 2009)
Author, “Media-ese,” Bar News, Washington State Bar Association, July 2009
Author, “Musings on Rescuecom,” Guest Commentator, Seattle Trademark Lawyer blog, May 2009
Panelist, “Teaching Trademark Law,” Adjunct Professors’ Panel, International Trademark Association Annual Meeting, Seattle WA (May 2009)
Guest commentator, Intellectual Property Lawcast, April 2009, and August 2009
Speaker, “Avoiding Common Errors in Legal Writing,” Washington Young Lawyers “Bridging the Gap” CLE, Seattle WA (April 2009)
Speaker, “Right of Publicity Update,” Intellectual Property Institute, Seattle WA (March 2009)
Author, “Use Is the New Protectability,” Landslide, American Bar Association IP Section, March 2009 (reprinted in GPSolo, “Best of ABA Sections Magazine,” September 2009
Author, “Peeves Beget Peeves,” Bar News, Washington State Bar Association, March 2009
Speaker, “Trademark Licensing,” Intellectual Property Symposium, Gonzaga University Law School, Spokane WA (February 2009)
Speaker, “Advertising and IP,” Lunchtime Topics, Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness, Seattle, WA (January 2009)
Panel Moderator, “Copyright Issues in the Music Business,” CLE, Seattle University School of Law (January 2009)
Speaker, “Copyright Basics for Artists,” Tacoma Arts Symposium, Tacoma, WA (November 2008)
Author, “Pet Peeves Redux,” Bar News, Washington State Bar Association (November 2008)
Speaker, “Words, Words, Words, That’s All We Do Around Here,” Keynote Address for CLE on Statutory Construction, AG’s Office, Olympia WA (October 2008)
Speaker, “Trademark Use: New Questions,” Eastern Washington IP Seminar, WSBA IP Section, Spokane, WA (October 2008)
Panelist, “Moral Rights and the Visual Artists’ Rights Act,” Brown Bag Workshop, Washington Lawyers for the Arts, Seattle, WA (October 2008)
Speaker, “The Right to Speak Freely,” Free Speech Panel, hosted by Puget Sound Access, Bellevue, WA (September 2008)
Speaker, “Clear Writing,” Washington State House of Representatives Staff Retreat, Olympia, WA (September 2008)
Speaker, “Trademarks for Wine-Makers,” Wine Law Conference, Cave B Inn, Quincy, WA (August 2008)
Author, “Bye Bye, Bi-,” Bar News, Washington State Bar Association (June 2008)
Author, “Trends, Healthy (or Healthful) and Otherwise,” Bar News, Washington State Bar Association (February 2008)
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
Best Lawyers in America, 2004-present
Rated 10 (“Superb”) by Avvo lawyer rating service, 2007-present
Voted a Washington State Super Lawyer, 2003-present
Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award, Seattle University Law School, August 2008
Honored by Seattle University Law School Intellectual Property Law Society, 2006
“Best of CLE” Speaker, Washington State Bar Association, 2003 and 2004
Graham & Dunn Open Door Award, 2002, 2006 for accessibility and assistance to the firm’s junior lawyers
Honored by Washington Lawyers for the Arts, “Brio” Award, 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
