Concentration

Summary

Valerie Verret's main area of experience is the protection and licensing of trademarks, copyrights, and domain names for clients in a variety of industries, including the energy, entertainment, fast food, restaurant, retail, technology and travel industries. In the trademark sphere, Ms. Verret helps clients obtain, protect and enforce trademarks in the United States and throughout the world. Her legal work includes conducting and reviewing trademark clearance searches, preparing opinion letters, filing and prosecuting trademark applications, managing portfolios and filing and enforcing customs registrations. Ms. Verret has broad experience negotiating and drafting agreements relating to intellectual property matters, monitoring the use of trademarks by third parties, and conducting due diligence reviews in connection with acquisition and financing agreements. She also represents clients in opposition and cancelation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and assists with federal court proceedings.

Representative Engagements

• Large food and beverage company – management of worldwide trademark portfolio
• Global oil and gas company – worldwide trademark clearance searches
• Major Texas University – trademark prosecution and counseling
• Medical equipment and devices company – global trademark enforcement, management and policing strategies
• Global healthcare company – developing and implementing trade dress protection strategies
• Nutritional company – developing and managing trademark portfolio
• Multinational software developer – preparing and prosecuting copyright applications
• Major home furnishings company – domain name policing and enforcement
• Non-profit pageant – drafting and negotiating intellectual property licenses

Publications, Speeches and Presentations

Publications

• "U.S. Counterfeiting Act Closes Loopholes and Strengthens Penalties," INTA Bulletin, October 2006
• "Special Focus: Protecting Trademarks Online," World Trademark Yearbook 2006, Globe Business Publishing Ltd., 2006 (Paul J. Reilly and Robert M. Wasnofski Jr., co-authors)
• United States, European Community Agree on Use of Wine Names," INTA Bulletin, November 2005
• Final Text of Hague Convention Supports Rights of Trademark Owners, INTA Bulletin, August 2005
• Geographical Indications in the United States, INTA Bulletin, January 2005
• "Second Circuit Limits the Reach of Anticybersquatting Statute," Baker Botts IP Report, February 2003

Speeches and Presentations

• "Trademark Training Presentation," Baker Botts Client Presentation, Fort Worth, August 2010
• "Proper Trademark Usage," Baker Botts Client Presentation, Fort Worth, April 2009
• "The Nuts and Bolts of U.S. Trademark & copyright Law, Baker Botts Client Presentation, Fort Worth, November 2008
• "Basic Principles of Trademark Law," Basics of U.S. Trademark Practice, HalfMoon Seminars, Arlington, Texas, November 18, 2005
• "The World of Trademarks," Baker Botts Client Presentation, Fort Worth, June 2005
• "Trademark and Copyright Issues on the Internet, Dallas Bar Association, Solo and Small Firm Section, Dallas, May 2005