Seattle Trademark Lawyer

Trademark law bloggers and trademark law blog readers:

Can’t wait to see you at “Meet the Bloogers V!” As a reminder, it’s on Monday, May 18, from 6-9 p.m. at Graham & Dunn, Pier 70, 2801 Alaskan Way, Suite 300, Seattle — just over one walking mile from the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Taxis know where we are, and it’ll set you back $5-10. If you want to walk (and it’s a nice walk on a beautiful day), here are the particulars from Google:

Adidas’ 3-stripe “Superstar” shoe (left)
and Topline’s allegedly infringing four-stripe shoe

On May 11, Adidas America, Inc., filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the Western District against Bellevue-based shoe maker The Topline Corporation. Adidas alleges that Topline’s two- and four-stripe shoe designs infringe Adidas’ three-stripe design as well as the trade dress of Adidas’ “Superstar,” “Mei” and “Pranja” shoes.

Interestingly (to me at least), Adidas describes its “Superstar” shoe trade dress as including “a unique and non-functional combination of three stripes on the side of the shoe parallel to the equidistant small holes, a rubber ‘shell toe,’ a particularly flat sole and a colored portion on the outer back heel section.”

Topline has not yet answered Adidas’ complaint.

Adidas brought a similar trademark lawsuit against Payless Shoesource, Inc., in the District of Oregon, which last year resulted in a $305 million jury verdict in Adidas’ favor (later reduced to $65 million).

Topline is no stranger to the Western District. In 2007, it brought two trademark suits against competing shoe makers 4273371 Canada, Inc., Flurt Footwear, and a dozen others. (See STL posts on Topline’s cases from April 12, 2007, July 5, 2007, August 14, 2007, and Oct. 28, 2007.)

Given the parties’ litigious natures, this case will be case one to watch.

The case cite is Adidas America, Inc. v. The Topline Corporation, No. 09-646 (W.D. Wash.).

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the first two parts of STL’s biased and incomplete mini-guide to INTA-going Seattle: Part 1 - Breakfasts and Coffees, and Part 2 - Lunches and Dinners. Here’s the final installment, Part 3 - Bars and Hotel Lobbies. As experienced INTA-goers know, finding a good spot for drinks can be a boon. Here are a few suggestions in no particular order:

• Oliver’s Lounge (downtown) - In the Mayflower Park Hotel; won many best martini awards
• Six Seven Lounge (waterfront) - In the Edgewater Hotel; you’ll like the mechanical trees and nature videos, about 20 feet above Puget Sound
• Fairmont Hotel lobby (downtown) - Swanky lobby with alcove bar
• W Hotel lobby (downtown) - Hip lobby; drinks available throughout
• Terrace Garden and Lounge (downtown) - Hidden terrace on fifth floor of Red Lion; special on a sunny day
• Purple Cafe and Wine Bar (downtown) - Expansive wine bar
• Txori (Belltown) - Basque greatness in tiny digs
• Virginia Inn (Belltown) - A favorite laid-back Northwest pub
• Alibi Room (Pike Place Market) - Great space hidden in alley below the newspaper stand; worth the effort
• Zig Zag Cafe (Pike Place Market) - Never visited, but there’s a lot of buzz about the drinks. An awful lot

One last tip — While you’re here, treat yourself to at least a copule of our many micro-beers, including but by no means limited to those brewed by Georgetown, Elysian, Pyramid, Red Hook, Hale’s, and Mac & Jack’s.

These pretzels are making me thirsty!

Seattle’s a pretty good eating town, so INTA-visitors, you’re in for a treat. Here’s Part 2 of my mini-guide to Seattle for INTA attendees: Lunches and Dinners. Seattle is known for its fish, seafood, and Pacific Northwest take on world cuisine. If you stick with my favorites, there’s little you can do wrong.

If you’re in the mood for Pacific Northwest fare, I like Matt’s in the Market (94 Pike Street #32; (206) 467-7909) and Dahlia Lounge (2101 Fourth Avenue; (206) 682-4142). For Northwest fish and seafood, try Flying Fish (2234 First Avenue; (206) 728-8595); Oceanaire (1700 Seventh Avenue; (206) 267-2277); McCormick’s Fish House (722 Fourth Avenue; (206) 682-3900); and The Brooklyn (1212 Second Avenue; (206) 224-7000). 

For Sushi, it’s hard to beat Shiro’s (2401 Second Avenue; (206) 443-9844; dinner only) and Umi Sake House (2230 First Avenue; (206) 374-8717 (dinner only). For pan-Asian, Wild Ginger is wildly popular (1401 Third Avenue; (206) 623-4450).

For great steak, there’s the Metropolitan Grill (820 Second Avenue; (206) 624-3287); El Gaucho (2505 First Avenue; (206) 728-1337; dinner only); and the Capital Grille (1301 Fourth Avenue; (206) 382-0900).

Seattleites in the know go to Tulio Ristorante (1100 Fifth Avenue; (206) 624-5500‎; in the Hotel Vintage Park; I dined there on my wedding night) and Assagio Ristorante (2010 Fourth Avenue; (206) 441-1399‎) for Italian; Cafe Campagne (1600 Post Alley; (206) 728-2233)‎ and Le Pichet (1933 First Avenue; (206) 256-1499) for French; Andaulca (407 Olive Way; (206) 382-6999; in the Mayflower Park Hotel; Andalusian) and Txori (‎2207 Second Avenue; (206) 204-1420; Basque) for Spanish; and Brasa (2107 Third Avenue; (206) 728-4220; dinner only) for Mediterranean.

Strangely, there aren’t too many nearby restaurants with a view that suitably showcases our beautiful city. If you don’t mind a cab ride, for views I’d suggest Palisade (2601 West Marina Place; (206) 285-1000; seafood); Salty’s (1936 Harbor Avenue Southwest; (206) 937-1600; seafood); and Ray’s Boathouse (6049 Seaview Avenue Northwest; (206) 789-3770; seafood). On a nice day, it’s a nice walk to the waterfront to Six Seven (Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way; (206) 728-7000; in the Edgewater Hotel; new American).‎

Enjoy your eats!

For those who are traveling to Seattle for INTA, there’s still a little time to plan. Have coffee booked with a foreign associate but don’t know where to meet? Leave it to STL. Here’s my biased and incomplete mini-guide to the best INTA breakfasts and coffees; lunches and dinners; and bars and hotel lobbies. Today’s installation: Part 1: Breakfasts and Coffees.

INTA gatherings start early, and that means breakfast! Fortunately, you’ll be on forgiving West Coast time — I won’t soon forget those brutal 8 a.m. meetings in Toronto. Nothing like getting up at 4 a.m. Seattle time after whooping it up past midnight at the CN Tower the night before!

For an eclectic but good eatin’ business breakfast, I like the Library Bistro & Bookstore Bar (Pacific Northwest cuisine; 92 Madison Street; (206) 624-3646); Sazerac (Pacific Northwest meets New Orleans; 1101 Fourth Avenue in the Hotel Monaco; (206) 624-7755); Tom Douglas’ Lola (Mediterranean influences; 2000 4th Avenue in the Hotel Andra; (206) 441-1430); and Le Pichet (French; 1933 1st Avenue; (206) 256-1499). I haven’t tried it yet but I’m looking forward to my breakfast meeting at the ART Restaurant (Pacific Northwest with “global” influences; 99 Union Street in the brand new Four Seasons; (206) 749-7070).

For quicker, cheaper, and more casual bites, a great coffee and roll can be had at Le Panier Very French Bakery (1902 Pike Place; (206) 441-3669) and Macrina Bakery (2408 1st Avenue; (206) 448-4032). A great coffee and donut is waiting for you at Top Pot Doughnuts (2124 5th Avenue; (206) 728-1966). Or check out the original Starbucks (1912 Pike Place; (206) 448-8762).

If I’ve missed your favorite downtown breakfast or coffee place, share the benefit of your wisdom!