Episode 18: Countering Scorched Earth Tactics with Doug Lalone

Maxwell Goss speaks with Doug Lalone, an engineer and patent attorney with the intellectual property firm Fishman Stewart. Doug tells the story of a very interesting case he handled involving a design patent for a rifle scope. The case involved not only cutting-edge issues in IP law but also intersected with a criminal prosecution. Doug offers insights on dealing with scorched earth litigation tactics and putting together a winning strategy in high-stakes cases.

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“Move forward in a professional manner. Gather your facts, understand the law, and do the best you can to represent the client to get a positive resolution. And don’t go off the deep end. Don’t try to retaliate. Just stay focused.”

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Doug Lalone

EPISODE OUTLINE

00:19 – Introduction

01:49 – About Doug Lalone

04:20 – Doug’s involvement with ACG

05:13 – The Leepers rifle scope case

12:41 – Trade dress infringement

16:25 – Functionality and trade dress

22:04 – Resolution of the rifle scope case

24:18 – Doug’s advice for dealing with scorched earth litigators

26:20 – Pleading the fifth in a civil case

30:52 – Where to find Doug Lalone online

31:38 – Sponsor Spotlight: Shaun Fitzpatrick of Fortz Legal Support

RESOURCES

ABOUT

Doug Lalone

Doug LaLone is an engineer, patent attorney, and partner at Fishman Stewart. He also serves as chair of the firm’s Strategic IP Practice Group which counsels portfolio companies, PE, VC and IB firms on intellectual property strategies, due diligence and portfolio management.

Doug works on both the buy and sell side of M&A transactions. He has successfully prosecuted and defended over 100 different Intellectual Property suits in numerous federal and state courts, and appeals before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. His cases have covered patent, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition, domain name, non-compete, and copyright infringement claims. Additionally, Doug has prosecuted hundreds of patent applications on numerous consumer and industrial products for middle market companies and routinely conducts brand clearances and prosecutes trademark applications to help clients protect their Intellectual Property positions.

Doug has served as a judge for the Crain’s Detroit Business M&A Awards and as president of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) – Detroit.  Doug is a member of the Michigan District Optimist Club and is an active member of Kensington Community Church.

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About The Litigation War Room
The Litigation War Room podcast presents great stories and great insights to help lawyers raise their litigation game and win more cases.

The Litigation War Room is hosted by Maxwell Goss, the owner and principal attorney of Maxwell Goss Law. Max represents clients in trade secret, intellectual property, and business cases in Michigan and around the country, bringing forceful advocacy and creative solutions to every case he handles.
About The Litigation War Room
The Litigation War Room presents great stories and great insights from some of the nation’s most accomplished courtroom lawyers.

The Litigation War Room is hosted by Maxwell Goss, a litigation attorney with the intellectual property boutique firm Fishman Stewart PLLC. Max represents clients in intellectual property and business cases in Michigan and around the country, bringing forceful advocacy and creative solutions to every case he handles.
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