In today’s competitive environment where the quality and price playing fields are increasingly level, trademarks are often the only way consumers differentiate one company from another. Consequently, trademarks play a critical role in driving new and repeat business. For almost 30 years, Paul Kruse has assisted individuals, small businesses and large companies with their trademarks. He helps clients of all kinds protect their trademarks with high quality, creative, and comprehensive services, including trademark clearance, registration and policing – all at a predictable cost. In addition to trademark prosecution, enforcement and litigation support, Paul handles copyright, right of publicity, franchising and domain name matters that touch on trademark law.

Early in his legal career, Paul practiced law in Washington, D.C. including several years as a Trademark Attorney - Advisor at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he examined more than 4,400 trademark applications for compliance with the Lanham Act, the Trademark Rules of Procedure and the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedures. 

Prior to joining the firm, the longtime Tennessean practiced in Washington, D.C., first with the USPTO and then with what is now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman.

Professional Recognition and Activities

Paul is a member of the Intellectual Property Section of the Tennessee Bar Association, having acted as Chair on more than one occasion. 

Awards

• Copyright Law and Trademark Law, Best Lawyers, 2006 to present
• IP Stars, Managing Intellectual Property, 2016
• The Best Lawyers in America©
• Trademark Lawyer of the Year in Nashville, Best Lawyers, 2012

Membership

• Nashville Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• International Trademark Association

Community Involvement

Paul is a charter member of the advisory board of the Battle Ground Academy Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. The program equips students with skills and mindsets to creatively solve real-world problems through hands-on active learning. Entrepreneurial Leadership is about creating a critical thinking toolbox that empowers students in the classroom, the college lecture hall, and in their future careers.  

Insights 

• Paul is a supporter of trademark education at Vanderbilt Law School and Belmont Law School, having made a number of trademark related presentations at both schools.
• “Is Profiting from the Online Use of Another’s Property Unjust? The Use of Brand Names as Paid Search Keywords,” IDEA: The IP Law Review, Vol. 53, p.131
• “Should I Register My Trademark?”, "On Point", Bone McAllester Norton

About Paul

Paul is a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a law partner, a trademark attorney, and a cancer survivor in that order.

Practice Areas

• Business and Corporate Law
• Entrepreneurial and Emerging Business Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• International Law

Education

• Vanderbilt University, School of Law, J.D., 1989
• Vanderbilt University, College of Arts and Science, B.A., 1986

Bar Admissions

• Tennessee, 1989
• District of Columbia, 1996