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The IP attorneys of the Wiemelt Knechtel have experience in
policy holder insurance coverage litigation and intellectual property infringement (patent, trademark, service mark,
trade dress, false advertising, trade secret, and copyright), spam e-mail (Can-Spam Act), junk fax and Do Not Call lawsuits. Our firm was ranked among
the "TOP PATENT FIRMS" in the U.S. in the March 2013, February 2012, and March 2010 issues
of Intellectual Property Today, a monthly publication focused on legal issues in patent, trademark and copyright
law. Our firm was also ranked among the "TOP TRADEMARK FIRMS" in the U.S. in
the May 2013, May 2012, May 2011, May 2010 and May 2009 issues of Intellectual Property Today. Our IP trial lawyers offer a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION (312-372-7664)
and review of a company's existing insurance coverage to determine if the insurance company owes its insured a duty
to defend and/or indemnify the client in the event of an infringement lawsuit, includng Microsoft lawsuits.
We
also offer a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION and review of a company's pending IP litigation and insurance policies
to find coverage and an insurer's duty to pay the attorneys' fees and costs of the defense in a lawsuit. Upon completion of
the free review, we selectively defend IP infringement lawsuits at no cost to the client.
Frequently, businesses
receive threatening letters from their competitors' attorneys alleging patent, trademark or copyright infringement, domain
name infringement, cybersquatting, cyberpiracy, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising or unfair competition. All
too often, these businesses agree to cease and desist the allegedly infringing activities, regardless of the merits of their
competitors' claims, simply because they wish to avoid or cannot afford the costly litigation process. Unfortunately, many
of these businesses fail to realize that they have a current or expired insurance policy which obligates the insurance company
to defend and indemnify them in lawsuits involving intellectual property rights.
In addition, insurance brokers,
insurance agents and insurance companies sometimes advise businesses that their policies do not provide infringement defense
coverage, even when coverage exists. Insurance companies may even reject the tender of the case and deny coverage in cases
when coverage exists. Worse yet, attorneys without experience in these matters sometimes accept the insurance company's rejection
of the tender and denial of coverage and advise businesses that coverage does not exist. As a result, businesses faced with
a cease and desist demand or a lawsuit involving intellectual property rights should have their case reviewed by attorneys
familiar with intellectual property and insurance coverage law.
Typical Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies
contain "advertising injury" provisions which may trigger coverage in lawsuits involving intellectual property.
To be covered, the alleged infringements must have occurred in the course of advertising activities. However, even if the
policy contains the "advertising injury" language, coverage issues may arise.
For example, the typical
complaint for infringement of intellectual property rights includes additional counts for intentional or willful infringement.
Most CGL policies contain language expressly excluding intentional acts. Fortunately, intentional acts in the context of malice
or specific intent, which are not covered, may be distinguished from willfulness in the context of infringement, which may
be covered. If the carrier chooses to defend under a reservation of rights with respect to the intentional or willful counts,
a conflict of interest is created and the insured may have the right to select independent defense counsel. In such situations,
the carrier may also be responsible for payment of the independent defense counsel's fees because its duty to defend is broader
than its duty to indemnify.
Personal, business or umbrella policies may also provide coverage for defamation, libel,
slander or disparagement.
Of course, it may not always be in the defendant's or the plaintiff's best interest
to trigger insurance coverage. This decision should be made by counsel familiar with the merits of the intellectual property
claims, as well as the insurance coverage issues.
Our experienced
lawyers have unparalleled success in obtaining insurance coverage for the defense of infringement lawsuits, including
a defense provided to our clients by the following insurance companies: AMCO Insurance Company (“Allied”), American Family Insurance Company, The Cincinnati Insurance
Company, First Mercury Insurance Company, General Casualty Company of Wisconsin, Safeco Insurance Company, State Farm Fire
& Casualty Company, Selective Insurance Company, Beazley Insurance Company, the Westfield Insurance Company, Federal
Insurance Company, and Chubb Insurance Company of New Jersey.
FREE DEFENSE OF SPAM E-MAIL (CAN-SPAM ACT), JUNK FAX, AND DO NOT CALL LAWSUITS Our trial lawyers offer a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION and review of a
company's existing insurance coverage to determine if the insurance company owes its insured a duty to defend and/or indemnify
the client in the event of spam e-mail (Can-Spam Act), junk fax and Do Not Call lawsuits.
We also offer a
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION and review of a company's pending litigation and insurance policies to find coverage
and an insurer's duty to pay the attorneys' fees and costs of the defense in a lawsuit. Upon completion of the free review,
we selectively defend infringement lawsuits at no cost to the client.
All too often, businesses fail to realize
that they have a current or expired insurance policy which obligates the insurance company to defend and indemnify them in
spam e-mail (Can-Spam Act), junk fax and Do Not Call lawsuits.
In addition, insurance brokers, insurance agents
and insurance companies sometimes advise businesses that their policies do not provide defense coverage, even when coverage
exists. Insurance companies may even reject the tender of the case and deny coverage in cases when coverage exists. Worse
yet, attorneys without experience in these matters sometimes accept the insurance company's rejection of the tender and denial
of coverage and advise businesses that coverage does not exist. As a result, businesses faced with a spam e-mail (Can-Spam
Act), junk fax and Do Not Call lawsuit should have their case reviewed by attorneys familiar with such cases and insurance
coverage law.
Typical Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies contain "advertising injury" provisions
which may trigger coverage in spam e-mail (Can-Spam Act), junk fax and Do Not Call lawsuits. However, coverage
issues may arise. For example, the typical complaint includes allegations of intentional or willful infringement.
Most CGL policies contain language expressly excluding intentional acts. Fortunately, intentional acts in the context of malice
or specific intent, which are not covered, may be distinguished from willfulness in the context of infringement, which may
be covered. If the carrier chooses to defend under a reservation of rights with respect to the intentional or willful counts,
a conflict of interest is created and the insured may have the right to select independent defense counsel. In such situations,
the carrier may also be responsible for payment of the independent defense counsel's fees because its duty to defend is broader
than its duty to indemnify.
Personal or umbrella policies may also provide coverage.
Of course,
it may not always be in the defendant's or the plaintiff's best interest to trigger insurance coverage. This decision should
be made by counsel familiar with the merits of the claims, as well as the insurance coverage issues.
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