Eric Sidler is an accomplished intellectual property litigator and trusted strategic advisor, representing clients from emerging innovators to established global brands. He partners closely with each client—taking the time to understand their business, priorities, and goals—so he can deliver tailored legal strategies that align not only with their immediate needs but also with their broader commercial objectives.

Eric is known for his tenacious advocacy, clear communication, and client‑first approach, treating each client’s challenges as his own. Clients trust him not only for his courtroom skill but also for his ability to provide candid, practical guidance at every stage of a dispute.

Intellectual Property Litigation & Counseling

A seasoned advocate, Eric focuses his practice on complex intellectual property litigation, where he represents clients through trial and appeal in high‑stakes disputes involving:

  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Copyrights
  • Trade secrets
  • False advertising 
  • Domain names

He litigates IP cases in federal courts across the United States, as well as opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and Section 337 investigations before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Eric also provides strategic counseling on:

  • Brand selection, clearance & registration
  • Copyright and trademark portfolio development
  • IP licensing negotiations
  • IP enforcement programs and strategies

His clients span numerous industries, including consumer goods, retail, entertainment, publishing, financial services, agribusiness, transportation, and manufacturing.

Broad Litigation Experience

Beyond IP, Eric brings significant experience in complex commercial disputes, including:

  • Insurance coverage litigation
  • Employment and restrictive covenant matters
  • Shareholder and governance disputes
  • Contract disputes
  • Business tort claims

This breadth gives him a uniquely holistic perspective—allowing him to understand the business implications of litigation, identify pressure points, and craft strategies that serve both short‑term litigation goals and long‑term client objectives.

Eric draws on his clerkship with Judge Lynn J. Bush of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, which provided valuable insight into judicial reasoning, federal procedure, and IP disputes involving the United States. This background informs his meticulous, judge‑focused style and enhances his ability to craft persuasive arguments rooted in procedural and substantive strengths.

Areas of Focus

Experience

Patent Litigation

  • Munchkin, Inc. v. TOMY International, Inc.(N.D. Ill.): Represented Munchkin in prosecution of utility and design patent infringement claims relating to infant and toddler cup product.
  • BabyBjorn AB v. The Ergobaby Carrier, Inc.(C.D. Cal.; Fed. Cir.): Represented Ergobaby in defense of patent infringement claim and related appeal pertaining to baby bouncer product.
  • The Ergobaby Carrier, Inc. v. BabyBjorn AB (W.D. Tex.; S.D.N.Y.): Represented Ergobaby in prosecution of utility patent infringement claims relating to baby carrier products.
  • Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC, et al. v. Munchkin, Inc.(D. Conn.; C.D. Cal.; ITC; PTAB; Fed. Cir.): Represented Munchkin in defense of patent infringement claims and related appeals pertaining to diaper pail refill products.
  • Continental Intermodal Group – Trucking LLC v. Sand Revolution LLC(W.D. Tex.; PTAB): Represented CIG in prosecution of utility patent infringement claims relating to modular proppant handling systems used in the hydraulic fracture drilling process.
  • Zebra Technologies Corp. v. Typenex Medical LLC and Ward-Kraft, Inc. (N.D. Ill.; E.D. Mo.): Represented Typenex and Ward-Kraft in defense of utility patent infringement claims relating to identification wristbands used in the medical industry, and related claims for trademark and trade dress infringement.
  • Munchkin, Inc. v. Luv N' Care, Ltd.(C.D. Cal.; Fed. Cir.): Represented Munchkin in prosecution of patent infringement claims and related appeal involving spillproof cup products for toddlers.
  • MGPI Processing, Inc. v. Penford Corporation (D. Kan.): Represented MGPI in prosecution of utility patent infringement claims pertaining to methods for producing phosphorylated resistant starches and related trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition claims.
  • The Ergobaby Carrier, Inc. v. Boba, Inc.(C.D. Cal.): Represented Ergobaby in prosecution of utility patent infringement claims relating to baby carrier products.
  • Skip Hop, Inc. v. Munchkin, Inc.(C.D. Cal.): Represented Munchkin in defense of utility patent infringement claim relating to bath spout covers.

Trademark, Trade Secret, Unfair Competition and False Advertising Litigation

  • Represented a leading homebuilding company in prosecution of claims for trademark infringement and unfair competition (C.D. Cal.; W.D. Mich.).
  • New Prime, Inc., d/b/a Prime Inc. v. Prime Group Holdings, LLC(C.D. Cal.; TTAB): Represented Prime Inc. in prosecution of claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition, and cancellation of trademark registration, and in related TTAB cancellation proceeding.
  • New Prime, Inc., d/b/a Prime Inc. v. Amazon Logistics, Inc.(W.D. Mo.; TTAB): Represented Prime Inc. in prosecution of claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition, and cancellation of trademark registration, and in related TTAB cancellation and opposition proceedings.
  • Billy Goat IP LLC v. The Billy Goat Chip Company LLC(N.D. Ill.): Represented a defendant against trademark infringement claims.
  • SnugglyCat, Inc. v. Opfer Communications, Inc. (W.D. Mo.): Represented a defendant against trademark infringement and false advertising claims.
  • Fast Enterprises, LLC v. Pollack(D. Mass.): Represented a plaintiff in prosecution of trade secret misappropriation claim.
  • Compass Minerals America, Inc. v. Gaia Enterprises, Inc.(D. Kan.; TTAB): Represented Compass Minerals in defense of trademark infringement claims, in prosecution of claim for cancellation of trademark registration, and defense of related TTAB cancellation proceeding.
  • Dutch Valley Growers, Inc. v. Dutch Valley Partners, LLC (C.D. Ill.): Represented Dutch Valley Partners in defense of trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and trade secret misappropriation claims involving agricultural products.
  • American Poolplayers Association, Inc. v. GoDaddy.com, LLC(E.D. Mo.): Represented a plaintiff in prosecution of trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, and cybersquatting claims, obtaining consent judgment in favor of client.
  • Cepia, LLC v. Moose Enterprise Pty, Ltd.(E.D. Mo.): Represented a plaintiff in prosecution of copyright infringement, trade dress infringement, and false advertising claims relating to toy products and television advertisements.

Copyright Litigation

  • Kee v. Bullion International, Inc., d/b/a The Highland Mint (S.D.N.Y.): Represented multiple retail defendants against copyright infringement claim relating to photograph.
  • WMTI Productions, Inc. v. Propagate Content, LLC (C.D. Cal.): Represented Propagate in defense of copyright infringement claims relating to hidden camera prank television shows.
  • Philpot v. BigTime Productions, LLC (S.D. Ind.; W.D. Mo.): Represented a music industry client in defense of copyright infringement claim relating to photograph.
  • Sprague v. Alliant Techsystems Inc. (D. Mont.): Defended a client against copyright infringement claim relating to artwork, obtaining summary judgment in favor of client.

IP Counseling

  • Counseled a leading homebuilding company regarding the design and execution of trademark registration, maintenance, and enforcement programs.
  • Counseled a leading shipping and transportation company regarding the design and execution of trademark registration, maintenance, and enforcement programs.
  • Provided IP counsel to a waterproofing, foundation repair and environmental remediation company regarding the design and execution of trademark registration and maintenance program and patent portfolio.
  • Counseled a leading mortgage lender regarding the design and execution of trademark registration, maintenance, and enforcement program.

Significant Non-IP Litigation

  • Kelly v. Cameron’s Coffee and Distribution Company(W.D. Mo.; Mo. Cir. Ct.): Represented a defendant in putative class action under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
  • Represented major third-party liability insurers in numerous coverage actions in federal and state courts and administrative tribunals.
  • Represented the manufacturer of laser vision correction systems in a shareholder dispute. Drafted opposition to the demand for indemnification of attorney's fees and costs, persuading the court to adopt the client's position on a novel, "bet-the-company" legal issue, ultimately leading to a favorable resolution for the client.
  • Represented hedge fund manager in an employment dispute with a former employer. Achieved a multimillion-dollar award in favor of client through arbitration.

Credentials

Education

  • The George Washington University Law School (J.D., with high honors)
  • Vanderbilt University (B.A., magna cum laude)

Clerkship

  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Hon. Lynn J. Bush

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Recognitions

  • World Trademark Review, "Leading Trademark Lawyer," 2023-2026
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2017-2022
  • Order of the Coif
  • The George Washington International Law Review, Executive Managing Editor, Volume 43
  • George Washington Scholar
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Presentations

  • Presenter, "Trademark Surveys," Advanced Trademark Law 2025: Current Issues, Practising Law Institute (PLI) Seminar, March 27, 2025
  • Co-presenter, "Internet Pirates: Navigating the Murky Waters of Online Copyright," Pro Communicators Conference, May 20, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "IP Litigation Case Update," Lathrop GPM State of Litigation Virtual Event Series, July 30, 2020
  • Presenter, "State of Intellectual Property," Lathrop GPM Webinar, June 3, 2020

Publications

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • The District of Columbia Bar
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Lawyers Association of Kansas City
  • Minnesota State Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Tomorrow Class of 2019-2020