Thomas L. Holt
- Firmwide Chair, Trademark, Copyright, Internet & Advertising Practice
- Chicago
- New York
Informed by more than 25 years of industry experience, Tom represents clients in strategically protecting and enforcing their brands, copyrights, and other intellectual property.
Thomas Holt practices trademark, trade dress, copyright, and false advertising law. He is experienced in all phases of federal court litigation, including ex parte seizure, temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, trial, and appeals. Additionally, Tom routinely represents clients in inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Tom also counsels clients on IP protection and enforcement and in managing U.S. and international IP portfolios. He has significant experience drafting and negotiating IP agreements and has conducted numerous due diligence reviews and handled transfer agreements. Tom's industry experience spans computing technology, mobile and wireless telecommunications, medical devices, education, food and beverage, heavy manufacturing, and a variety of other consumer products.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1997
- University of Missouri, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1993
Bar and Court Admissions
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Illinois
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New York
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District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Professional Recognition
Recognized in the World Trademark Review 1000—The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2014-2024 Illinois, Enforcement & Litigation Illinois, Prosecution & Strategy
Recognized by Managing IP as an IP Star, 2024
Listed in Illinois Super Lawyers for Intellectual Property Litigation, 2012, 2014-2024
*The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.
Impact
Professional Leadership
- 3Arts, Board of Directors, 2017-2023(3Arts works to sustain and promote women artists, artists of color, and artists with disabilities)
- International Trademark Association (INTA)
Parallel Imports Committee, North American Subcommittee, 2018-2019
Trademark Enforcement Committee, Monetary Remedies Subcommittee, 2006-2007; 2014-2015
Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition Planning Committee, Midwest Region, 2001-2007
Trademark Administrators Committee, Needs Subcommittee, 2002-2005 - Intangible Asset Finance Society, Trademark Committee, 2011
- Intellectual Property Owners Association, Counterfeiting and Piracy Committee, 2012
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Recent Federal Court Cases
New Balance Athletics, Inc. v. USA New Bunren International Co. Ltd LLC
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Representing New Balance in a trademark infringement and counterfeiting action involving use of the N and NEW BUNREN marks.
General Mills, Inc. v. Rawbite ApS et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Minnesota
Represented General Mills in a trade dress infringement and preliminary injunction action involving RawBite's use of the LÄRABAR packaging design.
Talking Rain Beverage Company, Inc. v. Klarbrunn, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented Talking Rain in a trademark infringement action involving Klarbrunn’s use of Talking Rain’s ICE and SPARKLING ICE marks in connection with sparkling water products.
Universal Percussion, Inc. v. Avedis Zildjian
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Represented Universal Percussion in a trademark infringement action involving Zildjian’s use of the S mark in connection with percussion instruments.
Universal Percussion, Inc. v. Guitar Center
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Represented Universal Percussion in an unfair competition action involving Guitar Center’s sale of its AGAZARIAN-branded cymbals.
3Arts, Inc. v. Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. et. al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented 3Arts in a trademark infringement action involving Restoration’s Hardware’s use of the 3ARTS mark in connection with its café.
Two Brothers Brewing Company v. Three Brothers Brewing Company, LLC*
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Represented Two Brothers Brewing Company in a case involving trademark infringement of the TWO BROTHERS mark.
TQP Development, LLC v. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America et. al.*
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Represented GEICO Corporation and Government Employees Insurance Company in a patent infringement suit relating to the transmission of encrypted data over a communications link. GEICO was dismissed without prejudice, did not have to pay damages, and no settlement agreement was signed.
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. v. Motorola, Inc., et al.*
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. and Nokia Siemens Networks US (collectively "NSN") in a trade secret action seeking to prevent the $1.2 billion sale of Motorola's wireless networks business to NSN.
Cassetica Software, Inc. v. Computer Science Corporation*
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented Computer Science Corporation in a copyright infringement action involving computer software.
Cartier International AG, et al. v. HauteLook, Inc.*
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Represented HauteLook in a trademark infringement action relating to the sale of Cartier watches.
Mario Tricoci Hair Salons and Day Spas, Inc. v. Franco Tricoci Salon and Spa Schaumburg, LLC*
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Representing Mario Tricoci in a trademark infringement and preliminary injunction action against Franco Tricoci Salons.
ConvaTec Inc. v. Boston Scientific*
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Represented ConvaTec in a trademark infringement and unfair competition action involving the VERSIVA trademark involving medical products.
* Prior Experience
Recent Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) Cases
New Balance Athletics, Inc. v. Usa New Bunren International Co. Limited LLC
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Representing New Balance in a cancellation action against registration of various N and NEW BUNREN marks for use in connection with shoes and apparel.
Precision Pump Parts, Inc. v. Cornell Pump Company
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Representing Cornell in an opposition against registration of its pump frame trade dress.
Del-Nat Tire Corporation v. Omni United (S) Pte Ltd.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Representing Omni in a cancellation action involving its RENEGADE registration for tires.
HDN Development Corporation (“Krispy Kreme”) v. Krispy Krunchy Foods, L.L.C.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Representing Krispy Krunchy Foods in an opposition against registration of its KRISPY KRUNCHY mark for various food products and restaurant services.
Wolverine World Wide Inc. v. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Represented New Balance in an opposition against registration of the CUSH+ mark for midsoles.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation v. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.*
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
Represented New Balance in an opposition against registration of the ANUE mark for athletic apparel.
* Prior Experience