Michael Lee Attorney

Michael Lee, known online as GeekAttorney, is the Founding Partner of Lee Law PLLC, where he represents some of the world’s leading luxury goods, technology, entertainment, gaming, and media companies in complex intellectual property matters. His practice spans trademark, copyright, unfair competition, anti-counterfeiting, licensing, internet law, and brand enforcement. Throughout his career, Michael has litigated high-profile intellectual property disputes in federal courts across the United States, helping clients obtain settlements and judgments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Michael advises clients on every stage of the intellectual property lifecycle—from trademark and copyright registration to licensing, commercialization, enforcement, and litigation. He has developed and managed sophisticated global brand protection and anti-counterfeiting programs for internationally recognized companies, coordinating investigations, online enforcement initiatives, customs actions, and federal litigation to combat infringement and counterfeit trafficking.

In addition to representing established global brands, Michael is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and creators build and protect their businesses. He regularly advises YouTube creators, streamers, game developers, musicians, artists, software developers, and emerging technology companies on business formation, intellectual property strategy, licensing, contracts, sponsorship agreements, and long-term brand development.

Before founding Lee Law PLLC, Michael practiced at Morrison & Lee LLP and Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty LLP, where he served as a Partner in the Intellectual Property and Emerging Business practice groups. Earlier in his career, he was an associate at Sargoy, Stein, Rosen & Shapiro LLP, representing major motion picture studios, record labels, software companies, and technology clients in copyright and trademark litigation.

Michael has successfully represented clients in numerous precedent-setting intellectual property matters involving trademark infringement, counterfeiting, copyright piracy, online marketplaces, and unfair competition. His experience includes obtaining permanent injunctions, substantial monetary awards, and landmark anti-counterfeiting judgments for internationally recognized brands.

Beyond litigation, Michael is a frequent speaker and author on intellectual property, emerging technologies, video games, entertainment law, and online brand protection. He has presented at New York Comic Con, C2E2, PAX East, the International Trademark Association (INTA), and numerous industry conferences. His legal commentary has appeared in publications including Game Informer, gamesindustry.biz, The Daily Dot, and Publishers Weekly.

Michael earned his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and his Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in Management and Finance from Wagner College. He is admitted to practice in New York, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He is an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), the Copyright Society of the USA, the New York State Bar Association, the Esports Bar Association, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.

Representative Matters

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. v. William York, 26-CV-4251 (S.D.N.Y.)

Lead attorney for Harley-Davidson against a online seller repeatedly caught distributing counterfeit merchandise. You can read the Complaint here.

Otter Products LLC, et al. v. 4PX Express USA Inc., 23-CV-11111 (S.D.N.Y.)

Lead attorney for OtterBox against a logistics company repeatedly caught distributing counterfeit cell phone cases. The Court entered an $875,000 judgment in favor of OtterBox. You can read more about the case here.

Otter Products LLC, et al. v. Mobile Phone Pros LLC, et al., 20-CV-04966 (S.D.N.Y.)

Lead attorney for OtterBox and LifeProof against an eBay seller that was caught selling a large amount of counterfeit cell phone cases. The Court entered a $5 million judgment against the defendants.

Fossil Group, Inc. and Michael Kors L.L.C. v. Angel Seller LLC

Lead attorney for Fossil and Michael Kors against an Amazon store that was caught several times selling a large amount of counterfeit watches. More details about the case as covered by The Fashion Law here.

Otter Products LLC v. Cem Siniko, et al., 20-CV-03915 (S.D.N.Y.)

Lead attorney for OtterBox against an eBay seller caught selling counterfeit cases. Case ended with a permanent injunction banning defendants from further infringing the client’s trademarks.

Michael Kors L.L.C. v. US Reliance Solutions, Inc. et al., 19-CV-10453 (S.D.N.Y.)

Lead attorney for Michael Kors against a handbag company selling bags with a MK logo. The company and its owner were sued for trademark infringement. Cases ended with a permanent injunction banning defendants from further infringing the client’s trademarks.

Michael Kors L.L.C. v. C.G.C. Enterprises, Inc. et al., 19-CV-01364 (D. Conn.)
Lead attorney for Michael Kors against a flea marketer owner and landlord for permitting the sale of counterfeit merchandise at its flea market location. You can read more here.

Levi Strauss & Co. v. Franklin Shoes Int., Inc., 19-CV-00329 (E.D.N.Y)
Lead attorney for Levi’s against a company caught importing counterfeit merchandise into the United States. Levi’s was awarded a $1 million judgment against the defendants. You can read more here.

Olaplex LLC, et al. v. Walmart, Inc. , 18-CV-04310 (C.D.C.A.)
Lead attorney for Olaplex in a lawsuit against Walmart concerning the distribution of counterfeit hair care product on Walmart’s website. You can read more here.

Otter Products, LLC v. Cell Phone Basement, LLC, 17-CV-06429 (S.D.N.Y)
Lead attorney for OtterBox against a company caught distribution counterfeit cell phone cases on the Internet. OtterBox was awarded a permanent injunction after a settlement.

Levi Strauss & Co. v. Xin Mei Corp, 17-CV-03426 (E.D.N.Y)
Lead attorney for Levi’s against a company caught importing counterfeit merchandise into the United States. Levi’s was awarded a $1 million judgment against the defendants.

Fleet, et al. v. Christiano Film Group, Inc. et al., 16-CV-3081 (C.D.C.A.)
Lead attorney regarding the claims of DMCA takedown abuse and related interference of business claims on behalf of the YouTube channel knows as “The Bible Reloaded”. Case concerns abuse of the DMCA system and the right to fair use.

David Yurman Enterprises LLC v. DashingDaisy.com, et al., 14-CV-6394 (S.D.N.Y.)

David Yurman received a judgment for $2 million and a permanent injunction in a case concerning alleged acts of copyright and trade dress infringement over world famous jewelry designs. Case received extensive news coverage including here and here.

Coach, Inc. v. Allen, et al., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100829 (S.D.N.Y.)
Coach was awarded a monumental summary judgment award of $46.2 million in damages stemming from the defendants’ distribution of counterfeit items over the Internet. Case received major press coverage due to the substantial and ground-breaking damages award.

David Yurman Enterprises LLC v. GK Group Corp. et al., 13-CV-8015 (S.D.N.Y.)
David Yurman was granted a temporary retraining and seizure order which resulted in the seizure of over 15,000 pieces of jewelry infringing the client’s copyrighted designs.

Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. v. Jerome Cook (WIPO D2014-0201)
Rolex received a successful WIPO decision ordering the transfer of the 7000Rolex.com.

Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. v. Jonathan Cook 3:13-CV-01856 (ND Texas)
Rolex received a $1 million judgment against the lead singer of a punk band that was arrested selling counterfeit watches.

Yantai North Home Textile Co, Inc. v. Nike International, Inc. 11-CV-4741 (S.D.N.Y.)
The client received a $3.98 million judgment in a dispute over failure to pay for delivered goods.

Michael Kors, L.L.C. v. Sumner Communications, Inc. 13-CV-1815 (S.D.N.Y.)
Michael Kors successfully obtained a preliminary injunction based upon third party liability for a website that posted listings to clothing and handbags for sale.

Close-Up International, Inc. v. Berov, (Civ-02-2363; E.D.N.Y.)
A federal jury, after a five day trial, awarded our client approximately $2.7 million including the maximum award of statutory damages under the Copyright Act of $150,000 per work.

U2 Home Ent., Inc. v. Lai Ying Music and Video Trading Inc., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9853 (S.D.N.Y. May 25, 2005) aff’d in relevant part, 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 8650 (2d Cir. April 9, 2007)
The client was granted approximately $7 million including the maximum award of statutory damages under the Copyright Act of $150,000 per work stemming from a civil seizure. The award of damages was affirmed by the Second Circuit.

Vardanyan v. Close-Up International Inc, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88292 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 30, 2007)
The client was granted summary judgment dismissing claims of fraud and embezzlement due to plaintiff’s improper stock acquisition in violation of the corporate bylaws and a shareholder’s agreement.

U2 Home Ent., Inc. v. Hong Wei Int. Trading, Inc, 2005 WL 3766976 (S.D.N.Y. May 3, 2005)
After a three day contempt hearing, a video pirate was found in contempt of a prior injunction and our client was awarded monetary sanctions.

For several celebrity streamers
Negotiated settlement agreements concerning rights to privacy violations by major telecommunication companies.

For a popular comic book related website and mobile application
Incorporated business and drafted necessary work-for-hire and talent contracts.

Memberships and Affiliations

Copyright Society of the USA
New York Bar Association
International Trademark Association (INTA)
International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Esports Bar Association

Articles, Publications, and Lectures

“Watch Those DMs: Legal Service via DMs Permitted by Texas Court” Daily Dot article, August 21, 2023
“2020 U.S. Supreme Court Decisions in Trademark Cases” December 17, 2020 Speaker for International Trademark Association
“Spider-Man: Miles Morales Is Missing This Major New York City Landmark” November 20, 2020 interview with “Game Informer”
“Law & Order: VGU Episode 2” February 28, 2020 Speaker at PAX East (Boston, MA)
“What to Do When Your Video Game Leaks” gamesindustry.biz article, February 2020
“Moving Trademarks: Shoot to Kill the Competition?” IPPro Magazine article, May 2019
“Law & Order: VGU – Video Games Unit” March 29, 2019 Speaker at PAX East (Boston, MA)
“Managing Esports Athletes” October 27, 2018 Speaker at Columbia University Sports Management (New York, NY)
“How to Protect Your Work” June 17, 2018 Speaker at Denver Comic Con (Denver, CO)
“Skins, Loot Boxes, and Esports Betting” June 11, 2018 Speaker at Esports Bar Association (Los Angeles, CA)
“Did YouTube Phenomenon Poppy Steal Her Style from Another Star?” Wired article, May 2018
“Becoming CEO of Your Career” May 4, 2018 Speaker at International Trademark Association Panel
“Legal Lootbox: How the Law Affects Your Favorite Games” April 5, 2018 Speaker at PAX East (Boston, MA)
“The Rise of Esports” March 30, 2018 Speaker at NYU School of Law Sports Law Colloquium (New York, NY)
“PUBG Creator Calls for Better IP Protection in the Game Industry” Rolling Stone Article, December 2017
“The Safety of Purchasing Items off the Internet” December 7, 2017 Speaker at Fraud and Anti-Counterfeiting Conference (Toronto, CA)
“PewDiePie Streams Racist Slur, Prompts DMCA Threat from Gamemaker” Rolling Stone Article, September 2017
“PewDiePie is Inexcusable But DMCA Takedowns are Not the Way to Fight Him” Motherboard Article, September 2017
“Lawyers Explain why Camp Santo’s Takedown if PewDiePie’s Video is Legal” PCGamer Article, September 2017
“The Law of YouTubers: The Next Generation of Creators and the Legal Issues They Face” ABA Journal Article, June 2017
“The YouTube Copyright Wars Over Fair Use” March 14, 2017 Speaker at SXSW Conference (Austin, TX)
“Leading E-Sports Players Must Take Trademark Protection Seriously or Risk Losing Ownership of Their Gamertags” World Trademark Review, February 21, 2016 featured in Article
“The Year in Review – 3D Printing” December 1, 2016 Speaker at Fraud and Anti-Counterfeiting Conference (Toronto, CA)
“Brand Protection on the Internet” December 1, 2016 Speaker at Fraud and Anti-Counterfeiting Conference (Toronto, CA)
“Brand Protection on the Dark Web” September 19, 2016 Speaker at Imaging Supplies Coalition Conference (San Diego, CA)
“Can We Just Play? Legal Issues in Gameplay Videos & Streams” September 2, 2016 Speaker at PAX West (Seattle, WA)
“FUPA for Freedom” September 1, 2016 Speaker at PAX West (Seattle, WA)
“We Need A New Username System” VentureBeat Article, April 2, 2016
“The Year in Review – 3D Printing” December 5, 2015 Speaker at Fraud and Anti-Counterfeiting Conference (Toronto, CA)
“The Consequences of Counterfeiting & 3D Printing” June 4, 2015 Speaker at Security Print Technologies Workshop at the Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY)
“The Year in Review – 3D Printing” December 3, 2014 Speaker at Fraud and Anti-Counterfeiting Conference (Toronto, CA)
“Protecting Your Ideas – What Should You Do?” October 12, 2014 Speaker at New York Comic Con.
“The Indie Authors and Illustrators Guide to New York Comic Con, 2014” Publisher’s Weekly September 26, 2014 Quote.
“What Should I Do?: The Legal Aspects of Making You and Your Business Famous” October 14, 2013 Speaker at New York Comic Con
“The Legal Aspects of Becoming Famous: What You Need to Know to Make it Big” October 11, 2012 and April 27, 2013 Speaker at C2E2 and New York Comic Con
“Intellectual Property Infringement in the Gaming Industry: Use Isn’t Always Fair.” Women in Gaming Industry March 2012 Article
“Intellectual Property 101: How To Protect Your Intellectual Property and Not Infringe Others.” March 18, 2011 and April 9, 2010 Lecture
“Intro to Intellectual Property Law: The Legal Aspects of Becoming Famous.” October 14, 2011 Speaker at New York Comic Con
“Getting Paid for Your Work: A Legal Overview.” April 10, 2010 Speaker at C2E2.
“The IP Fortress: How to Safeguard You or Your Company’s Intellectual Property” February 5, 2009 Speaker at New York Comic Con
“Poynette Man Fined over Fake Rolexes” Poynette Press March 17, 2009 Article
“Intellectual Property 101: Comics, Copyrights, and Contracts: Getting Your Intellectual Property Ready for the Deal.” February 6, 2009 Speaker at New York Comic Con
“How To Safeguard Your Intellectual Property: Basics of Intellectual Property” September 25, 2009 Speaker at New York Comic Con
“How to Avoid Costly Legal Traps with Your Work: Copyrights, Anime & More” September 25, 2009 Speaker at New York Anime Festival