Intellectual Property Law and Cyberlaw

Lester Essig is a shareholder and member of the intellectual property and corporate law practice groups, with law degrees from Cornell University and New York University. He has a strong practice in intellectual property and cyberlaw, with in-depth experience in trademarks, domain names, copyrights, software, trade secrets and unfair competition. He also has significant experience with websites, e-commerce and technology issues. He assists a broad array of regional, national and international clients with name searches, trademark and copyright registrations, renewals and appeals before the United States Trademark Office and many foreign and state agencies. He maintains hundreds of federal and international trademark registrations for his clients.

Mr. Essig has handled numerous opposition and cancellation proceedings before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, as well as cybersquatting and domain name actions. He has significant experience in dispute resolution and negotiation, having been involved in many enforcement actions. He drafts and negotiates a wide array of intellectual property documents, including assignments, licenses, software, website, distribution and confidentiality agreements, and privacy disclosures. He is involved with protective planning, including intellectual property audits, perfection of ownership interests, start-up consultation, and property transfers relating to mergers and acquisitions.

Franchise and Distributorship Law

Mr. Essig also has significant involvement with franchises and distributorships. He consults with clients on the advisability of franchising and the alternatives, and assists in preparing franchise documents, dispute resolution and general contract matters. This includes preparation of franchise disclosures and agreements, distributorship agreements, confidentiality and other documents. He assists franchisors with state registrations, renewals and compliance. He has represented a wide array of franchise and distributorship clients as well as franchisees. He has significant experience in dispute resolution and negotiation, including in Federal Trade Commission and state enforcement proceedings.

Mr. Essig maintains an AV Preeminent (5.0) rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded to attorneys for professional competence and ethics. He has also been voted by his peers throughout the state as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite,” as published in Utah Business Magazine (2004-2010, 2012-2020), and he has served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Utah Bar section in his field of practice.