Karen Artz Ash

Representative Experience

• Represented a major national retailer as special IP Counsel in its Ch. 11 proceedings, and in connection with the sale of its global assets to a purchaser, including the sale of its China-based subsidiary and wholesale business.
• Represented a multinational fashion and beauty firm in connection with finalizing arrangements for its Europe-based Couture designer.
• Represented an online jewelry designer in connection with enforcing rights against a third party in its house brand and personal name mark, and in securing registration rights for such marks globally.
• Represented a global licensing fashion brand powerhouse to shut down fake websites in multiple foreign countries and domestically.
• Represented a worldwide manufacturer and wholesaler of sound and visual entertainment equipment to enforce its rights against multiple fake websites in multiple countries.
• Represented a chain apparel and accessories retailer in defending against the allegedly unauthorized use of a design and in securing a settlement with the commercial artist.
• Represented an international skincare beauty and make-up company to enforce its trademarks and trade dress rights against a third-party emulating the “look and feel” of the client’s products for discount level products. Confusingly similar copies of the client’s packaging, presentation, and branding were successfully addressed.
• Represented a global brand aggregator in its acquisition of a European and UK- based luxury footwear business out of Administration proceedings and subsequently in connection with it licensing to multiple domestic licensees in the US.
• Represented a world-famous fashion house in enforcing its rights against a sub-licensee of its Licensee to secure an injunction, judgment and monetary recovery in Chile.
• Represented a global brands management company in multiple administrative proceedings against an Asia-based fashion manufacturer involving a battle over rights to a niche outerwear label.
• Represented a famed cashmere designer in its first foray into global licensing and subsequently assisted this client in effecting a disassociation from its former business partner and in effecting a termination and transition of its licensee.
• Represented an international fashion brand and its affiliate, continuing our years-long representation, in connection with its defense of multiple allegations of infringement asserted by a direct global competitor, prevailing in actions in the Netherlands and ultimately succeeding in the highest jurisdictional courts in Europe.
• Represented a large brand management company in its acquisition of the worldwide intellectual property assets of a recognized trendy domestic lifestyle brand and the license back of such intellectual property rights for the continued operation of the brand, wholesale and retail businesses.
• Represented famed menswear and women’s tailored clothing designers in exclusive relationships to design and produce a collection of airlines and other work uniforms.
• Represented international designer businesses in connection with negotiating and finalizing talent endorsements and collaboration agreements with Chinese and Korean pop artists.
• Represented a tailored menswear retailer and various of its affiliated entities, in connection with defending against a purported class action commenced by a serial claimant’s counsel. The claim alleged misrepresentation in labeling and packaging relating to the use of a certain quality and style of fabric used in apparel. The client was indemnified by its vendor.
• Represented an international fashion house in connection with a global re-vamping and updating of its longstanding license agreement with a renowned beauty company. The work in this matter involved the use of licensed trademarks for fragrance, a part of the large re-configuring of their licensing relationship expanded the licensed rights to include additional product categories such as makeup, accessories and other beauty and home goods.
• Represented a niche men’s underwear brand, in connection with its negotiation of and subsequent unwinding of its license agreement covering an expanded category of products, resulting in a mutually beneficial termination agreement. The resolution of this matter also resulted in payments to the client.
• Represented a brand management owner in connection with a series of licenses under its lifestyle division for the development of ready-to-eat foods and a chain of restaurants under the name of a recognized lifestyle guru.
• Represented a brand licensing business in transitioning from traditional bank financing to a new consortium of financial resources for its global business, predicated on the value of its intellectual property.