David James Knight | Federal Trademark Counsel

What is a Trademark?

A trademark is a source identifier—a word, logo, slogan, or other mark that anchors your brand identity to your goods or services, preventing marketplace confusion and securing your reputation.

Why Register?

Federal registration transforms your mark into an exclusive legal right. It acts as a nationwide shield, protecting your brand at home and providing a doorway to international protection as your business grows.

Our Process

The Three Stages of Brand Protection

Stage 1: Strategy

We begin by conducting a comprehensive market analysis to ensure your brand is available for use and federal registration before you commit significant capital to its launch.

We then identify which specific words, logos, or slogans serve as your most valuable identifiers, distinguishing your brand in a crowded competitive landscape.

Finally, we establish a priority-based filing roadmap for both domestic and international markets, securing your legal rights at the earliest possible moment.

Stage 2: Registration

During the registration phase, we draft meticulous USPTO applications and manage global portfolios via the Madrid System to secure broad, functional rights for your brand.

When challenges arise, we craft persuasive legal briefings to overcome government refusals, skillfully navigating “likelihood of confusion” or descriptiveness challenges.

Should conflicts with third parties occur, we prioritize negotiated coexistence through strategic contracts rather than costly litigation.

Stage 3: Integrity

Once registered, we move to enforcement, leveraging administrative portals to remove infringing products, counterfeits, and “squatted” domain names.

We aggressively defend your space by managing specialized TTAB proceedings, such as Oppositions and Cancellations, to block encroaching marks before they take root.

To maintain long-term value, we partner with international customs agencies for counterfeit seizures and manage the filings required to achieve permanent, “Incontestable” status.

Trusted for Over Years

David James Knight is a 2008 graduate of Washington and Lee School of Law and a member of the bar in New York and Florida.

A former software developer, he began his legal career handling intellectual property litigation and other complex civil matters at both the trial and appellate levels.

In addition to his private practice, he served as a Judge Advocate in the Army National Guard, where he advised military leaders on federal and international law. He is also a published contributor to The International Lawyer with studies in cross-border dispute resolution at Humboldt University, Berlin, and fieldwork across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Now based in Portland, Oregon, he leverages his extensive experience to focus on trademarks and brand protection for clients across the globe.

Global Brand Protection