Jim Gatto is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. He is also Co-Team Leader of the firm's Digital Media Industry and Social Media and Games Industry Teams, Blockchain Technology and Digital Currency team, and Team Leader of the firm's Open Source Team.
Areas of Practice
Mr. Gatto leverages his unique combination of nearly 30 years of IP experience, business insights and attention to technology trends to help companies develop IP and other legal strategies that are aligned with their business objectives. His practice focuses on all aspects of intellectual property, internet and technology law, including patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and open source. Mr. Gatto advises clients of all sizes (start-ups to Fortune 100 companies) on key legal and business issues relating to the use of social media, video games, social games and online gambling (gamblification), virtual goods and currency, social networks, virtual worlds, mirror worlds, augmented reality, open source user-generated content, location-based services and gamification.
He has extensive experience advising internet and social media companies on business and legal strategies relating to virtual goods and virtual currency, developing IP protection and monetization strategies, handling terms of service and end user license agreements, development, licensing and partnership agreements, developing DMCA policies, handling DMCA enforcement, privacy and COPPA policies and much more.
Mr. Gatto's practice is national and international, and it encompasses a full range of IP and technology issues, including: patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret litigation; counseling and technology transactions; developing and implementing IP strategies to protect and to monetize IP assets; creating and implementing corporate IP programs; conducting IP audits; conducting complex patent prosecution, including patent appeals, interferences, Inter Partes Review (IPRs), reissues and protests; handling patent enforcement issues, including licensing and litigation; negotiating and drafting technology agreements; conducting IP due diligence in and negotiating IP aspects of mergers, acquisitions and financings; rendering opinions concerning the infringement, validity and enforceability of patents; handling trademark prosecution, domain name, copyright and trade secret matters; handling IP aspects of employment issues; advising clients on legal issues associated with open source software including open source patent issues, licensing, open source compatibility issues, indemnity issues and developing and implementing corporate policies on use of open source software; advising clients on the legality of cutting edge Internet business methods and technology; and advising clients on computer law issues such as computer fraud and abuse and SPAM-related issues.
More Legal and Business Bylines From James G. Gatto
- DOJ Wire Act Update – 90 Day Window for Compliance - (Posted On Thursday, January 17, 2019)
- DOJ Does High “Wire Act” – Flip Flops on Legality of Online Gambling - (Posted On Wednesday, January 16, 2019)
- Smart Contract Developers – Beware and Lawyer Up! - (Posted On Tuesday, November 27, 2018)
- The Blockchain-based Supply Chain Adoption Tipping Point? - (Posted On Friday, September 28, 2018)
- How the Evolution of Games Has Led to a Rise in Gambling Concerns: All Bets are On! Gambling and Video Games - (Posted On Sunday, September 16, 2018)
- Court Rules Cryptocurrencies Can Be Regulated By The CFTC As Commodities - (Posted On Friday, August 24, 2018)
- Is There a Unicorn Among ICO Issuers? - (Posted On Thursday, August 23, 2018)
- SEC Blockchain and Crypto Update - (Posted On Sunday, August 19, 2018)
- Crypto-Collectibles Phenomena Continues as MLB Hopes for Home Run - (Posted On Monday, August 13, 2018)
- Apple Updates Crypto Currency Aspects of App Store Review Guidelines - (Posted On Friday, July 13, 2018)
James G. Gatto and his thought leadership on Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies has been selected for a National Law Review Go-To Thought Leadership Award. Mr. Gatto’s grasp of this complicated area of law, as well as the digital media industry and technology trends, is very insightful, helpful and timely for NLR readers. You can read his analysis of blockchain issues on the Sheppard Mullin Law of the Ledger Blog.