Bill Thomson has an exceptional background as an Intellectual Property litigation attorney, and as a civic leader.
He has litigated a broad spectrum of complex patent and other intellectual property cases, particularly pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, and computer technology matters. An accomplished trial lawyer, Bill has represented major clients in jury and court trials, and before the International Trade Commission.
Bill’s litigation career includes significant representation of Asian and European based clients, in addition to U.S. clients. One example is the successful representation of Chinese battery manufacturers who were sued for patent infringement by Energizer Holding Company in the International Trade Commission. Following a trial lasting nearly two months and an appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Federal Circuit held that the Energizer patent was invalid and not infringed.
Among the many cases he has litigated, Bill represented Panavision International in the seminal internet domain name case, Panavision International, L.P. v. Dennis Toeppen et al. In the first ruling of its kind, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, held that it had personal jurisdiction over defendant Toeppen, an Illinois resident, who had registered Panavision’s “Panavision” and “Panaflex” trademarks as domain names and attempted to sell them to Panavision. The Court concluded that Toeppen’s actions diluted Panavision’s famous trademark and ordered Toeppen to assign the domain names to Panavision.
Bill also counsels clients on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and licensing matters, and is a frequent lecturer on intellectual property issues. He is a member of the California Bar and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts in California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Bill has been honored by recognition in Who’s Who in American Law. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a graduate of Bucknell University, where he was awarded a B.S. in chemical engineering.
Bill also has a distinguished record of leadership as the Mayor of Pasadena, California from 1988 to 1990, as a member of the Pasadena City Council from 1981 to 1997, and currently as a member of the Board of Trustees of Pasadena City College. He is an accomplished public speaker and has represented the City of Pasadena before the United States Congress, the California Legislature, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He lead Pasadena’s successful efforts to secure a number of major events for the Rose Bowl, including the 1984 Olympics, the 1987 and 1993 Super Bowls, and the 1994 World Cup. Bill’s leadership as President of the League of California Cities Los Angeles County Division earned respect throughout California on regional transportation and other issues.