Cliff Kuehn

Cliff Kuehn

Senior Counsel
|
San Francisco, CA

Cliff Kuehn is a seasoned legal expert specializing in international trademark enforcement. As a licensed attorney in California, a registered Irish Trademark Attorney, and a registered EU Professional Representative, his expertise in crafting enforcement strategies for global brands is complemented by his broad international experience. With significant former roles as an IP lawyer and policymaker at the European Union Intellectual Property Office in Spain, and extensive on-site IP experience across Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, and India, Cliff offers unparalleled insights into complex cross-border intellectual property issues.

Focus areas:
Prosecution
Policing & Enforcement
International Portfolio Management

Cliff Kuehn focuses his practice on global trademark prosecution and enforcement. The most significant part of his practice is assisting brand owners with developing, implementing, and evolving brand enforcement strategies, with a particular focus on clients in the technology and luxury consumer goods industries. Cliff has extensive intellectual property experience and education abroad in Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Sweden, and India, including 3 years as an attorney and policymaker at the European Union Intellectual Property Office.

Outside of the law, Cliff enjoys improving his baking skills in French patisserie and learning the German language.

  • International Trademark Association
    • Internet Committee (2024-present)
    • Leadership Development Committee (2020-2023)
    • Young Practitioners Committee (2016-2019)
  • University Of San Francisco
    • Adjunct Faculty, Internet & Intellectual Property Justice Law Clinic (2018-Present)

  • Guest Lecturer, EU And US Copyright Law, Masters Program In Intellectual Property And Digital Innovation (Magister Lvcentinvs) At The University Of Alicante, Spain, 2023 and 2024
  • Making Cents: A Survey On Legal Billing Practices Leadership Link, International Trademark Association, November 2022
  • Panelist, Composite Trademarks: How Different Is Different? AIPPI World Congress (San Francisco), September 2022
  • Understanding And Instilling Allyship Principles In The Workplace, Leadership Link, International Trademark Association, August 2020
  • Presenter, Bilder Meetup, Strategically Legal – IP & GDPR In Germany and The USA, San Francisco, California, October 2018
  • Craft Beer Vs. Big Beer Trademark Suit May Test 9th Circuit’s ‘Irreparable Harm’ Standard, IPwatchdog, March 2018
  • Can The Name Of A Fictional, Intergalactic Game Evolve Into A Trademark Protectable In The World Of Mere Groundlings?, IPwatchdog, January 2018
  • President Barack Obama – Analysis Of The 2012 Us Elections And The Power Of Brand Image, Intellectual Property Magazine, January 2013
  • Change As Quick As A Bullet, Intellectual Property Magazine, April 2013

  • 2015 LL.M., Stockholm University, Sweden
    • European Intellectual Property Law
  • 2010 J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law
    • Intellectual Property & Technology Certification
  • 2006 B.A., University of California, Irvine

  • State Bar of California
  • Registered Irish Trade Mark Agent
  • EUIPO Professional Representative

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