Mary L. Kevlin

Mary concentrates on all facets of trademark, copyright and unfair competition law.

“I love to sing with the Oratorio Society in Carnegie Hall.”

Honors & Recognitions

"Mary Kevlin has built an impressive practice advising clients on complex trademark litigation and portfolio management." 2024 Who’s Who Legal: IP 

“[Mary] Kevlin has handled an enormous number of USPTO proceedings over her 35 years in practice. Very active at the TTAB, she succeeded in having the board declare the World Series to have ‘a very high level of fame’ back in 2017.” 2024 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

"Mary Kevlin is 'an extraordi­nary trademark practitioner with an ency­clopaedic knowledge of all aspects of US trademark law'." 2022 Who’s Who Legal: IP 

"Mary Kevlin brings over 35 years of experience to her representation of [clients such as] Major League Baseball (MLB) and the 30 clubs it includes.” 2023 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 

"Mary Kevlin has encyclopaedic knowledge of trademark law and TTAB practice. She is consistently thoughtful in her approach and advice, and provides only the best-quality work product. She trains and leads an experienced team who follow in her footsteps.” 2022 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 

“A go-to for TTAB proceedings – which are also a forte of the wider group – Mary Kevlin is hailed as a ‘business-savvy adviser and superb legal practitioner who understands every nuance of practice before the USPTO, as well as the commercial issues that in-house teams face’." 2021 WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

Refined strategist Mary Kevlin and Lawrence Greene "form a dynamic duo and are incredibly dedicated, dogged in the pursuit of client objectives, great at managing their staff and all-around beacons of excellence."  2018 WTR 1000 The World's Leading Trademark Professionals

• The Legal 500 - Intellectual Property - Trademarks, Non-Contentious (2024) 
• The Legal 500 - Intellectual Property - Trademarks, Litigation (2015)
• "Lawyer of the Year" for NYC in Trademark Law (2014) by Best Lawyers
• The Best Lawyers in America for IP Litigation and Trademark Law (2005 to present), reprinted in New York magazine
• WTR 1000 World Leading Trademark Professionals, Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy (2014 to present)
• WTR 1000 World Leading Trademark Professionals, Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation (2014 to present)
• Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law in U.S. Trademark Law (Expert Guides 2013)
• New York "Super Lawyers" The Top Women in Intellectual Property Litigation (2014 to present)
• New York "Super Lawyers" in Intellectual Property Law (2006 - to present)
• Who’s Who Legal, IP – Trademarks (Law Business Research Ltd.) (2002 to present)
• IP Stars (“Notable Practitioner” - Managing IP 2014 to present)

Community & Professional Activities

• New York University Law School - Adjunct Professor in Trademarks (1993 - 2012)
• American Intellectual Property Law Association –  Chair, Copyright Committee (2000 - 02)
• International Trademark Association –  Various Committees - currently Enforcement Committee
• Brand Names Education Foundation –  Co-Chair, Pattishall Medal for Teaching Excellence
• Copyright Society of the U.S.A.
• American Bar Association -
  Co-Chair, Section of Intellectual Property, Spring Conference (2016), Summer Conference (2015) and Spring Conference (2014); CLE Board (2013 - 2016);  Vice Chair, CLE Teleconferencing Committee (2010 - 12); Chair, Franchising Committee (2008 - 09);  Chair, Trademark Office Affairs (2007 - 08);  Chair, Copyright Litigation Committee (2005 - 06);  Chair, Copyright Internet Committee (2003 - 05);  Chair, Copyright Division (1993 - 94 and 2002 - 03);  Chair, Authors Committee (2000 - 02);  Co-Chair, Section of Intellectual Property, Spring CLE Program (2000);   Member of Council (1995 - 99);

Experience

• Handles a large volume of U.S. Trademark Office proceedings for Major League Baseball Properties and the 30 baseball clubs it represents. She also handles contested proceedings and the U.S. portfolio of Minor League Baseball and its numerous individual leagues and clubs. In addition, she registers and maintains their trademarks in the U.S. for use on a wide variety of merchandise and services. 
• Filed one of the first cases under the Anticyberpiracy Statute in the Southern District of New York, involving the <newyorkyankees.com> domain name
• Succeeded in having the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board find in 2017 that WORLD SERIES has a “very high level of fame” and in 2018 that MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL is “commercially strong,” and in 2019 and 2020 that the CHICAGO CUBS marks are “commercially quite strong.”
• Succeeded in cancelling a registration of MAJOR LEAGUE ZOMBIE HUNTER & Design, and in registering the configuration of the WORLD SERIES COMMISSIONER’S TROPHY. 
• Supervised an international clearance and filing program for two new or expanded brands for the packaged candy client, PIM Brands. She also handles the international trademark portfolio of Ryder System, Inc.
• Co-author of a well-established and highly regarded casebook Trademark and Unfair Competition Law (seventh edition published in 2021), and of the “Trial Procedures” chapter in three editions of the American Bar Association’s publication Trademark Trial and Appeal Practice.
• She has been the author, and is now co-author of the New York State chapter of the International Trademark Association’s State Trademark and Unfair Competition Law

Adjunct Professor at New York University Law School (1993 to 2012).

Prior Employment

• United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, Hon. Dolores Sloviter, Law Clerk (1982 - 83)

Cases

• Successful Trademark Opposition and Cancellation proceedings against numerous marks, including 
  • Chicago Cubs Baseball Club v. Huber, Opposition No. 91232736, 2019 TTAB LEXIS 161 (T.T.A.B. 2019) (CUBNOXIOUS)
  • Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. v. Christopher Webb, Cancellation No. 92060903 (T.T.A.B. 2018).  (MAJOR LEAGUE ZOMBIE HUNTER and Design).
  • Office of the Commissioner of Baseball v. S9 Sports, LLC, Opposition No. 91200934 (T.T.A.B. 2016). (HIGH SCHOOL WORLD SERIES).
  • Empire State Bldg. Co. v. Liang,Opposition No. 91204122 (T.T.A.B. 2016). .(NYC BEER and Design). 
  • New York Yankees Partnership v. IET Products and Services, Inc., 2015 TTAB LEXIS 96 (T.T.A.B. 2015). (a top hat design mark and THE HOUSE THAT JUICE BUILT).
  • New York Yankees Partnership v. Evil Enterprises, In, 2013 TTAB LEXIS 72 (T.T.A.B. 2013). (BASEBALLS EVIL EMPIRE).
  • Boston Red Sox Baseball Club v. Sherman, Opposition No.91172268 (September 9, 2008) (SEX ROD (Stylized))
  • Killer Music, Inc.and BMG Songs, Inc., v. Killersound, Inc., Opposition No. 91152646 (T.T.A.B. 2005)  (KILLER SOUND).
  • BMG Special Products, Inc. v. Jagosz, Opposition No. 91124387 (T.T.A.B. 2003). (YOU DA BUDDHA)
• Filed one of the first cases under the Anticyberpiracy Statute in the Southern District of New York.