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R. Scott
Keller

  • Partner

For me, brands are exciting. They are the business’s signature and often its most important asset. Helping clients find that proper identity – representing what they stand for but also being free from conflict – is most satisfying. I appreciate how important the decision is when a trademark is being adopted and I do everything in my power to ensure it is a brand that can be enduring and will not face challenges down the road. There still is no greater thrill for me than driving down the street, walking through a store or browsing websites online and seeing a trademark that I helped my client choose and secure (just ask my family – they get so embarrassed).

For almost four decades, Scott Keller has helped businesses of all sizes safely navigate intellectual property and internet issues – with a particular focus on trademarks, copyrights, domain names, rights of publicity and unfair competition. Scott counsels clients across a variety of industries, assisting them with the screening, registration, licensing protection and defense of their valuable trademark and copyright assets worldwide (working closely with counsel in other countries as appropriate). “At this stage of my career,” he notes, “there is almost nothing on the trademark or copyright front that I haven’t seen or handled.”

  • Experienced in all aspects of trademarks and copyrights, including application and registration, enforcement against infringement and counterfeiting, selection and availability screening, acquisition and licensing.
  • Prepares and prosecutes applications for dozens of clients in the United States Trademark Office.
  • Prosecutes oppositions and cancellations before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
  • Regularly coordinates the registration and enforcement of clients’ trademarks in countries worldwide.
  • Advises clients on a variety of Internet issues, including acquisition and maintenance of domain names, domain name disputes and other trademark and copyright aspects of the Internet.
  • Works to protect t
  • Experienced in all aspects of trademarks and copyrights, including application and registration, enforcement against infringement and counterfeiting, selection and availability screening, acquisition and licensing.
  • Prepares and prosecutes applications for dozens of clients in the United States Trademark Office.
  • Prosecutes oppositions and cancellations before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
  • Regularly coordinates the registration and enforcement of clients’ trademarks in countries worldwide.
  • Advises clients on a variety of Internet issues, including acquisition and maintenance of domain names, domain name disputes and other trademark and copyright aspects of the Internet.
  • Works to protect the trademarks and copyrights of clients large and small, including a worldwide consumer products company, a nationwide brewpub chain and an international fastener and tool business.
  • Conducted anti-infringement programs, including applying for, obtaining and conducting civil and criminal seizures of unauthorized and counterfeit merchandise across the country.
  • Manages the worldwide trademark portfolio of a Big Ten university.
  • Developed the standard license agreement for merchandizing a major motion picture.
  • Defended an adhesives manufacturer in trademark and trade dress infringement litigation brought by its largest competitor and negotiated a mutually acceptable resolution.
  • Won the transfer of domain names in numerous Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings.
  • “Copyright/Fair Use in Course Materials, “Back to School–Preparing for Legal Challenges in Higher Education Warner Webinar, July 28, 2021
  • “Green Storytelling: The Proposed Revisions to the FTC Green Guides,” Green Growth Conference and Expo, October 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Intellectual Property Rights in Foreign Markets: Trademarks,” Speaker, Van Andel Global Trade Center, April 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Basic Trademark and Patent Practice for Paralegals and Lawyers,” Moderator, Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, October 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Copyright/Fair Use in Course Materials, “Back to School–Preparing for Legal Challenges in Higher Education Warner Webinar, July 28, 2021
  • “Green Storytelling: The Proposed Revisions to the FTC Green Guides,” Green Growth Conference and Expo, October 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Intellectual Property Rights in Foreign Markets: Trademarks,” Speaker, Van Andel Global Trade Center, April 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Basic Trademark and Patent Practice for Paralegals and Lawyers,” Moderator, Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, October 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Fame, But Not Fortune, the State of Federal Trademark Dilution Law in the United States,” Terralex Intellectual Property Newsletter, 9th Edition, Spring 2004
  • “Intellectual Property: It’s Not Just for Eggheads,” Next Course, March/April 2003
  • “Trademark Tribulations: What’s in a Name,” MiBizWest Journal, 11/7/2001
  • “Know Your Rights – Especially Your Copyrights (or Else it Could Cost You),” Shoreline Business Monthly, November 1999
  • “Copyright, Copyright, Who Owns the Copyright? And Why Should You Care,” 
  • “Fame, But Not Fortune, the State of Federal Trademark Dilution Law in the United States,” Terralex Intellectual Property Newsletter, 9th Edition, Spring 2004
  • “Intellectual Property: It’s Not Just for Eggheads,” Next Course, March/April 2003
  • “Trademark Tribulations: What’s in a Name,” MiBizWest Journal, 11/7/2001
  • “Know Your Rights – Especially Your Copyrights (or Else it Could Cost You),” Shoreline Business Monthly, November 1999
  • “Copyright, Copyright, Who Owns the Copyright? And Why Should You Care,” Business Update, May 1999
Image for R. Scott Keller

R. Scott
Keller

  • Partner
Grand Rapids

My admin

For me, brands are exciting. They are the business’s signature and often its most important asset. Helping clients find that proper identity – representing what they stand for but also being free from conflict – is most satisfying. I appreciate how important the decision is when a trademark is being adopted and I do everything in my power to ensure it is a brand that can be enduring and will not face challenges down the road. There still is no greater thrill for me than driving down the street, walking through a store or browsing websites online and seeing a trademark that I helped my client choose and secure (just ask my family – they get so embarrassed).

For almost four decades, Scott Keller has helped businesses of all sizes safely navigate intellectual property and internet issues – with a particular focus on trademarks, copyrights, domain names, rights of publicity and unfair competition. Scott counsels clients across a variety of industries, assisting them with the screening, registration, licensing protection and defense of their valuable trademark and copyright assets worldwide (working closely with counsel in other countries as appropriate). “At this stage of my career,” he notes, “there is almost nothing on the trademark or copyright front that I haven’t seen or handled.”

  • “Copyright/Fair Use in Course Materials, “Back to School–Preparing for Legal Challenges in Higher Education Warner Webinar, July 28, 2021
  • “Green Storytelling: The Proposed Revisions to the FTC Green Guides,” Green Growth Conference and Expo, October 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Intellectual Property Rights in Foreign Markets: Trademarks,” Speaker, Van Andel Global Trade Center, April 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Basic Trademark and Patent Practice for Paralegals and Lawyers,” Moderator, Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, October 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Copyright/Fair Use in Course Materials, “Back to School–Preparing for Legal Challenges in Higher Education Warner Webinar, July 28, 2021
  • “Green Storytelling: The Proposed Revisions to the FTC Green Guides,” Green Growth Conference and Expo, October 2010, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Intellectual Property Rights in Foreign Markets: Trademarks,” Speaker, Van Andel Global Trade Center, April 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Basic Trademark and Patent Practice for Paralegals and Lawyers,” Moderator, Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, October 2008, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Fame, But Not Fortune, the State of Federal Trademark Dilution Law in the United States,” Terralex Intellectual Property Newsletter, 9th Edition, Spring 2004
  • “Intellectual Property: It’s Not Just for Eggheads,” Next Course, March/April 2003
  • “Trademark Tribulations: What’s in a Name,” MiBizWest Journal, 11/7/2001
  • “Know Your Rights – Especially Your Copyrights (or Else it Could Cost You),” Shoreline Business Monthly, November 1999
  • “Copyright, Copyright, Who Owns the Copyright? And Why Should You Care,” 
  • “Fame, But Not Fortune, the State of Federal Trademark Dilution Law in the United States,” Terralex Intellectual Property Newsletter, 9th Edition, Spring 2004
  • “Intellectual Property: It’s Not Just for Eggheads,” Next Course, March/April 2003
  • “Trademark Tribulations: What’s in a Name,” MiBizWest Journal, 11/7/2001
  • “Know Your Rights – Especially Your Copyrights (or Else it Could Cost You),” Shoreline Business Monthly, November 1999
  • “Copyright, Copyright, Who Owns the Copyright? And Why Should You Care,” Business Update, May 1999