Stephen M. Schaetzel

Principal
404-645-7724
sschaetzel@m2iplaw.com

An experienced and skilled IP litigator, Mr. Schaetzel’s clients rely on his proven ability to present complex and technical subject matter in a clear and persuasive manner that judges, juries and regulators readily understand. Steve has been involved in more than 100 IP cases, and he has served as lead counsel before both trial and appellate courts. He has appeared before the Northern District of Georgia and has argued complex matters before the Federal Circuit, the Fourth Circuit, the Fifth Circuit and the Eleventh Circuit.  He has obtained and defended temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, presented Markman hearings, and briefed and argued summary judgment motions. Steve is also a skilled and experienced representative before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, having been involved in dozens of oppositions and having served as lead counsel for the Applicant in the largest contested registration proceeding ever litigated before the TTAB and the Federal Circuit.

Steve has most recently represented the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in a copyright case involving issues of electronic reserves and fair use in the non-profit educational context in the Northern District of Georgia (Cambridge University Press et al v Patton et al).   Among his other notable cases are: 

• ChemFree Corporation v J Walter, Inc - represented Defendant Walter in patent infringement action involving bioremediating parts washers, successfully invalidated all claims of four asserted patents (case under appeal);
• Banner Pharmacaps v Perrigo Company - represented plaintiff in patent infringement claim involving gelatin enrobed softlet products; obtained favorable settlement after Markman hearing determining key claim terms in accordance with Plaintiff's construction; 
•  Millennium Media Productions v Aaron Rents, Inc. - represented Defendant Aaron Rents in copyright infringement action involving copyright in music used in commercial advertisements;
• Bayer Health Care LLC v Merial LLC - represented Defendant Merial in false advertising case and successfully defeated motion for temporary restraining order;
• Glock v. Smith & Wesson – awarded a permanent injunction and negotiated a multi-million dollar settlement for patent and trade dress infringement;
• BellSouth v. Supra – awarded a preliminary and permanent injunction against trademark infringement and false advertising;
• BellSouth v. Access Integrated – awarded a permanent injunction and achieved a multi-million dollar settlement for false advertising and unfair business practices; and
• Tommy Hilfiger v. Goody's – awarded a permanent injunction, damages ($9,000,000) and attorneys fees in a counterfeiting case.

Steve has partnered with clients to manage significant intellectual property portfolios on a national and international basis. This aspect of his practice includes setting and achieving both strategic and practical goals for asserting and defending IP rights as they apply to individual matters, a series of related actions or an overall IP ownership position.  Steve has helped manage the trademark portfolios of a Fortune 100 transportation and delivery services company and a Fortune 100 telecommunications company.  He also has helped manage the patent portfolio of a major supplier of heat exchange equipment.

Steve has been repeatedly named to The Best Lawyers in America (2004- , Intellectual Property Law) and as a Georgia "Super Lawyer" (2004- , Intellectual Property Litigation), most recently in 2011. In addition, he is ranked by Chambers USA (Intellectual Property, Georgia, 2009- ) and is recommended in the Legal 500 (2010- ) for his strategic portfolio work. 

Steve previously served as adjunct faculty at the University of Georgia School of Law, where he taught patent law for more than 12 years. He currently serves as adjunct faculty at Emory University School of Law. He is involved in various civic organizations, including the Northside Youth Organization ("NYO"), Georgia Tech Athletic Association, Bobby Dodd Institute, American Junior Golf Association, EverybodyWins Atlanta, VOX Teen Communications and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.

Positions, Memberships and Affiliations
International Trademark Association (INTA), Enforcement Committee
Adjunct Faculty, University of Georgia Law School (1989-2001)
Adjunct Faculty, Emory University Law School (2010-Present )

Clerkship
Honorable Joseph Gaines, Superior Court Judge for Clarke County, Georgia.

Prior Experience
King & Spalding
Kilpatrick Stockton, former Chair, Trademark & Copyright Team
Jones & Askew