Our Attorneys

Edmund J. Ferdinand, III

Telephone: 203/259-7900
Facsimile: 203/259-1070
E-mail: jferdinand@jeffers-law.com

Jed Ferdinand practices primarily in the areas of intellectual

property, licensing and civil litigation. He represents many

prominent consumer products manufacturers and brand

owners.

Jed’s practice encompasses three main areas:

Civil Litigation: An accomplished trial attorney, Jed has litigated cases in federal trial and appellate courts throughout the United States and before international arbitration panels involving trademarks, patents, copyrights and general commercial matters. During his career, Jed has handled a number of high-profile cases, including:

Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of Oprah Winfrey’s magazine, “O The Oprah Magazine,” against claims of trademark infringement brought by a German publication. Brockmeyer v. Hearst Corp. and Harpo Print, 2003 U.S. Dist. Lexis 3394 (S.D.N.Y. March 7, 2003).

Successfully defending celebrity Jessica Simpson in a case brought by her former jeans manufacturer seeking $100 million in damages arising out of an alleged breach of license agreement. Tarrant Apparel Group v. Jessica Simpson, et al., Index No. 601199/06 (N.Y.S. Supreme Court).

Obtaining summary judgment for a Pepsi-subsidiary in a trade dress and design patent action involving competing sports bottle designs; affirmed by the Ninth Circuit. Talking Rain Beverage Company, Inc. v. South Beach Beverage Company, Inc., 349 F.3d 601 (9th Cir. 2003).

Licensing: Jed has handled some of the most successful licensing and merchandising programs of the past decade for celebrities and other famous brands that have resulted in billions of dollars of retail sales worldwide. He regularly negotiates and drafts product licensing and merchandising agreements with some of the largest companies in the world. Currently, Jed represents the author of the popular Pinkalicious book series, overseeing a merchandising program covering more than twenty product categories.

Trademark/Copyrights: Jed counsels clients regarding the acquisition and exploitation of intellectual property rights, with a particular emphasis on trademark and brand protection. He currently oversees the worldwide trademark and copyright filing programs of several major consumer products companies.

Jed has written and lectured extensively on a wide variety of intellectual property and licensing topics. He has been a moderator and featured speaker at numerous conferences and trade shows for more than ten years, including the annual Licensing Show in Las Vegas and the American International Toy Fair in New York. He is also a member of the faculty of LIMA’s Certificate of Licensing Studies Program for licensing professionals.

Jed is a member of the Advisory Board of two publications in the intellectual property field -- The Licensing Journal and IP Litigator. He is a monthly columnist for the publication, License India, and is a contributor to West’s Corporate Counsel Newsletter.

Jed began his career in New York with Chadbourne & Parke. Most recently he was a partner with Grimes & Battersby, LLP, an intellectual property boutique located in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Education

Union College, B.A., 1989, cum laude
Tulane University, J.D., 1993, cum laude

Professional and Community Activities

Member, Executive Committee, Intellectual Property Section, Connecticut Bar Association
Member, Parks & Recreation Commission, Town of Weston, Connecticut
Member, Conservation Committee, Town of Weston, Connecticut (2007-2011)

Bar and Court Admissions

State of New York
State of Connecticut
District of Columbia
U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District of Connecticut and the District of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Ninth and Federal Circuits