Thomas Dover provides cutting-edge legal strategies focused in all areas of intellectual property, corporate transactions and advertising. His broad, international experience ranges from complex software transactions, to consumer products, to large portfolio management, to entertainment and media interests. He is the Chair of Nossaman's Intellectual Property and Media Practice Group and co-leads the firm’s Privacy/Data Security Team.
He works with transportation entities and agencies throughout California and many other states for infrastructure development, software and technology licensing, and trademark and branding issues. Mr. Dover also has significant experience with new technologies and was among the first attorneys pioneering the direct licensing and distribution of music and entertainment content via the internet and mobile platforms. He represents government and public agencies, internet/digital platform distributors, and content developers for transactional and litigation matters.
Mr. Dover lectures widely on industry topics and serves as Adjunct Professor of Law at a Southern California law school.
Represents a 2nd-screen streaming content provider including ad-revenue issues, vendor and 3rd party data collection under new CA Online Privacy Protection Act “Do Not Track” and CA Song-Beverly Credit Card Act regulations. Successfully addressed a MA State inquiry regarding so-called “cloud” storage of content and security of user personal identifying information (PII) as well as adoption of a Privacy by Design policy.
Represented a significant German video game developer in the termination (and later litigation) of a publishing agreement and the successful negotiation of an international publishing and marketing agreement for video game exploitation; online and platform distribution. Provided critical services regarding key software licensing and the collection of user data and compliance with U.S., CA-specific and EU then-current Directive 94/46/EC and proposed General Data Protection Regulation.
Represents several private and public entities and associations in complex software and platform licensing. These engagements often involve complex healthcare, public retirement association or public finance transactions and related issues.
Represents significant multi-media content producers with focused distribution for internet, digital, mobile, and so-called “outdoor display”-specific mediums including all variety of software and website development and licensing agreements, consumer data collection, cookies and anonymized geographical trackers.
Served as General Counsel for an internet media/marketing company during the pre-Anti-SPAM and privacy regulation era. Successfully directed the legal and business efforts to adapt to industry changes while enhancing technology and consumer offerings.
Served as General Counsel and COO for a start-up online video gaming operation with a proprietary game controller product offering. Negotiated hundreds of international software and video game licenses during the pre-launch phase. Orchestrated the launch of the online operation and product offerings in China.
Represents the trademark portfolios of a variety of public agency or government entities including the TCAs and the San Francisco Bay Ferry (WETA) for all purposes including prosecution, licensing and opposition/cancellation or related litigation.
Represents significant fashion apparel and accessory brands in IP protection, finance, structure, manufacture, and distribution. Responsible for many celebrity or “supermodel” brands distributed through mass market and/or electronic retailers.
Served as General Counsel for a multi-national consumer product/toy manufacturer managing significant litigation along with a portfolio of hundreds of patents. Prosecuted, maintained, and protected several branded product lines. Negotiated and maintained prominent and substantial entertainment/character brand licenses for manufacture. Special awareness of China-based finance and manufacture issues, import/export, and counterfeiting issues.
Represents a long list of talent including actors, musicians, authors, athletes, supermodels, designers, and personalities. Mr. Dover is a specialist in endorsement, advertising, and licensing agreements.
Represents significant producers with projects ranging from traditional film and television, to multi-media (internet, digital, mobile, etc.), to new technologies (3D, motion capture, AI, etc.).
Represents significant “celebrity” brand consumer product companies for intellectual property production, finance, structure, manufacture, and distribution.