Mary C. Bonnema
- Partner
The digitization of our world has profoundly expanded both the quantity and complexity of trademarks and branding. Geography – one way of assessing trademark rights – has become porous. What used to be trademark “clearance” is now “risk assessment.” The bright side to this is that many trademark holders are now more willing to engage in business discussions. But companies need experienced counsel who can guide them through both these newly amplified risks and opportunities.
Mary is an experienced and highly accomplished intellectual property (IP) attorney with more than two decades’ experience advising companies and institutions in such industries as consumer products, food and beverage, agriculture, health and higher education on all aspects of IP – including licensing, strategy, portfolio management and due diligence in business transactions – with a particular focus on trademarks and branding. She has extensive experience in risk assessment, protection and enforcement involving trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, copyrights and domain names, and she works closely with trusted, specialized IP counsel around the world to ensure clients’ creative assets are protected globally.
“I have seen too many creative businesspeople without proper guidance fall in love with a concept or approach and get really invested in it — before they truly know that it’s theirs from a rights perspective. And then they are disappointed. I love giving them the tools and information they need to be impervious, as they innovate."