Coates IP

Firm overview:

Founded in 2019, Coates IP specialises on all aspects of IP outside of patents, positioning itself as a go-to firm for matters pertaining to trademarks, copyrights and domain names. The firm draws on the in-house and private practice experience of its leadership team to offer practical, plain-English advice to in-house counsel (Stephen Coates and Allisen Pawlenty both spent time at Kilpatrick and Amazon).

This dual insight has proved attractive to a roster of high-profile clients, and the firm has assisted Meta, Nestlé, Netflix and Reddit with brand-related matters. Since launching five years ago, the team has filed over 10,000 trademark applications, and handled 1,000 opposition/cancellation proceedings. Coates IP has also managed around 125 contentious matters at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in US federal court.

Team overview:

Coates IP’s team provides large, in-house practices with strategy, risk assessments and advice, and is favoured for its “get to yes” solutions and second opinions.

Founding partner Stephen Coates has worked at Fross Zelnick and Kilpatrick, as well as technology giants Amazon and X. An expert in trademarks, copyright, domain names and technology products, as well as litigation involving these subjects, Coates’ representative clients include Expedia, Nestlé, Netflix, Reddit, TikTok and Yahoo!.

Allisen Pawlenty, who joined the firm in 2022 as the majority owner, has more than two decades’ experience in senior in-house and law firm positions, including as a partner in Kilpatrick’s trademark practice. Pawlenty has also held in-house counsel positions at Amazon, and Twentieth Century Fox (as a secondee). Pawlenty advises clients on all aspects of trademark protection and enforcement.

Key matters:

• Netflix: Global domain name counselling, enforcement, and acquisition

Coates IP advises Netflix on global domain name counselling, enforcement and acquisition matters. Stephen Coates leads the team, leveraging his experience managing Amazon and Twitter’s domain name programmes.

• Meta Platforms: Global trademark clearance and counselling

Coates IP acts as global clearance counsel to Meta Platforms, for the company’s product sub-brands and product feature brands, open-source project names, marketing campaign names and similar business initiatives. In addition to the team’s regular slate of clearance projects for Meta, partners Allisen Pawlenty and Stephen Coates regularly advise on high-profile global product launches and dispute strategy.

• Discord: Global trademark strategy, prosecution and disputes

Coates IP acts as global quarterback counsel for Discord, with responsibility for the company’s trademark strategy, prosecution and dispute work globally. Recent work has included global protection of the Discord and Discord Nitro brands and rolling out a comprehensive portfolio program for the company’s newly redesigned ‘Clyde’ logo.

Clients:

Automattic, Auto-Tune, Beyond ONE, Discord, Expedia, HeyGen, Meta, Nestle, NetEase, Netflix, Opendoor, Plaid, Reddit, Replit, TikTok, Yahoo!