Mountain View, CA (September 14, 2017)– Fenwick & West today announced that copyright litigation co-chair Andrew Bridges was recognized by The National Law Journal as an Intellectual Property Trailblazer of 2017.
The Journal honored 49 lawyers from hundreds of nominees, noting that each “had shown a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way.”
The Journal noted Bridges’ trailblazing work representing Diamond Multimedia in the first case to establish the legality of MP3 players (RIAA v. Diamond). “The Audio Home Recording Act was passed in 1992, and this case in 1998 was the first time a lawsuit had been brought under it,” Bridges told the Journal. “It was huge.”
As a result of Diamond, Bridges said, “I get calls from developers of new technologies or online business models when they face attacks because of how other persons use those technologies or online services. I also hear from startup and growing clients when they fear challenges and they want advice on minimizing their risks.”
Bridges, who is a frequent speaker on cutting-edge legal issues, also discussed threats to the future of innovation and technology developments with the publication. “The government and the entertainment industry want to restrict the tools that the public may choose to use for an infinite variety of possible uses,” Bridges said. “The battle between individual power and government and industry interests will be one of the most important battles of our generation.”
Bridges focuses on trial and appellate litigation, arbitration and strategic counseling in high stakes matters for internet, technology and consumer-focused companies related to new business models, media, technologies and communications platforms. Chambers USA ranks Bridges in Band 1 in California for Intellectual Property—Trademark, Copyright, and Trade Secrets work. He also receives recognition in this category from Chambers Global who ranks him among the United States’ leading lawyers. World Trademark Review (WTR1000) also ranks him in the top, “gold,” tier for trademark enforcement and litigation both in California and nationally.
The full profile is available through The National Law Journal website.
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