Currently of counsel to the firm, John is one of the founding shareholders and a past president of the firm. Having practiced more than 35 years, he has broad experience in litigating patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and contract disputes. John takes pride in bringing a practical approach to litigation, keeping the client’s interests at the forefront of litigation strategy, and focusing on issues that matter the most. On behalf of his clients, John has taken the fight to such substantial opponents as J.P. Morgan Chase, and the Green Bay Packers and NFL Properties.
In addition to litigation, John counsels clients in protecting their trademark and copyright assets, and in licensing and contractual transactions, and has served as a mediator in intellectual property disputes.
Representative Trademarks
• The mark consists of a bullet cartridge-shaped container for lipstick.
Trademark Number: 4,947,256
• The mark consists of a three-dimensional configuration of packaging in the form of a coffin-shaped container for facial makeup
Trademark Number: 4,879,778
Noteworthy Cases
Wildhawk Investments, LLC v. Brava I.P., LLC, 27 F.4th 587 (8th Cir. 2022). Obtained reversal of district court grant of a preliminary injunction in a trade secret and breach of contract action. Resulted in favorable settlement.
Boehm v. Svehla, 2017 WL 4326308 (W.D. Wis. 2017) Obtained summary judgment dismissing copyright infringement claims based on sales of sports photos.
Graphic Design Mktg., Inc. v. Cent. States Novelty, L.L.C., 2011 WL 2039449 (D. Kan. 2011); Graphic Design Mktg, Inc. v. Xtreme Enterprises, Inc., 772 F.Supp.2d 1029 (E.D. Wis. 2010) Obtained preliminary injunction in copyright and trade dress infringement action involving sale of novelty stickers, which led to settlement.
Edgenet, Inc. v. GS1 AISBL, Case No. 09CV65 (E.D. Wis.) Defended international standard setting organization against claims of copyright infringement and trade secret misappropriation. Obtained dismissal of claims due to lack of personal jurisdiction.
Adenta GmbH v. OrthoArm, Inc., 501 F.3d 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2007). Defended German orthodontic company against a patent infringement claim. Invalidated patent after jury trial; upheld on appeal.
Morgan Chase Group, Inc. v. The Chase Manahttan Corporation and J.P. Morgan, Case No. 2:00CV1583 (E.D. Wis.). Filed trademark infringement suit against two of the largest banks in the country on behalf of local trust company. Obtained favorable settlement.
National Football League Properties, Inc. v. ProStyle, Inc., 57 F.Supp.2d 665 (E.D. Wis. 1999) Defended former employee of Green Bay Packers fan club and her new company against trademark infringement claims brought by NFL Properties and the Packers. Obtained partial victory after a jury trial.
Foamation, Inc. v. Wedeward Enterprises, Inc., 947 F.Supp. 1287 (E.D. Wis. 1996); 970 F.Supp. 676 (E.D. Wis. 1997). Vindicated client’s right to manufacture competing cheese hat by first obtaining preliminary injunction barring Foamation from claiming ownership of a copyright, and later obtaining summary judgment dismissing copyright and trade dress claims. Preliminary injunction decision contains arguably the most entertaining introduction of any federal judicial opinion:
“The annals of Wisconsin sports history are filled with hundreds of names. They include those names of players, coaches and team owners that are universally recognized. Perhaps among the more famous of these are Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn, Vince Lombardi, Curly Lambeau, Bart Starr, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Robin Yount, Paul Hornung, Al McGuire, Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, Paul Molitor, and Oscar Robertson. Of course, there is a litany of others who, although they may not have yet attained the stature of those above named, have nevertheless made a valuable contribution to the tradition and spirit of sports history in the Badger State, (also known as “America’s Dairyland”). The likes of Johnny Logan, Lew Burdette, George “the Boomer” Scott, Tommy Harper, George Bamberger, Cecil Cooper, Ted Simmons, Chester Marcol, Travis Williams, Don Nelson, Larry Costello, Alan “The Horse” Ameche, Suzy Favor–Hamilton, Eric and Beth Heiden, Jim Grabowski, Sydney Moncrief, Dean “The Dream” Meminger, Henry Jordan, Jim Fitzgerald, Herb Kohl, and Bud Selig, readily come to mind. Then there are the more obscure names. A short list might include Don Horn, Kenny Stills, Rich Campbell, Andy Pafko, Pedro Garcia, Mark Brouhard, Kurt Bevacqua, Danny Walton, Greg Dandridge, Randy Breuer, and Steve Underwood, just to name a few.
Perhaps someday the name of Amerik Wojciechowski1 will find its way on to one of these lists.”
947 F. Supp. 1287, 1288–89.
Budget Cinema, Inc. v. Watertower Associates, 81 F.3d 729 (7th Cir. 1996). Obtained dismissal of copyright infringement claim; awarded attorneys fees on appeal, reversing district court denial of fee award.
Experience
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, Law Clerk
• Member, International Trademark Association, Panel of Trademark Mediators
News & Publications
• Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for work in Trademark Law (2018) and Litigation – Patent (2017)
• Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for work in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, and Trademark Law
Awards & Recognitions
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for work in Trademark Law (2018) and Litigation – Patent (2017)
• Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for work in Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, and Trademark Law
Professional Activities
• Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
Community Involvement
• Various leadership roles in local church congregation and regional conference of denomination
• Member, board of directors, Covenant Living Communities and Services (operates 18 senior living facilities throughout the country)
