Scott R. Austin

Scott Austin is a seasoned corporate and intellectual property attorney specializing in Floida LLCs, Internet security, domain name UDRP disputes, DMCA takedowns and IP litigation. Recognized by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in intellectual property law since 2009 with 30 + years of experience in corporate and  trademark law, he counsels clients on corporate brand protection, online enforcement of IP rights, and ICANN policy requirements. Scott is an arbitrator/panelist for two of the ICANN-approved UDRP service providers, WIPO and the FORUM, having participated as an arbitrator in over 200 domain name dispute decisions since 2013. He also serves as an ICANN PICDRP panelist and chaired the panel that wrote the first PICDRP decision in 2017. Scott has represented clients in state and federal courts, before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and for trademark owners in UDRP domain name proceedings. He advises on trademark strategy, prosecution, and portfolio management for companies of all sizes, including not for profit charities and faith based institutions. Additionally, he provides legal guidance on Florida LLCs and technology transactions, including software licensing and development. His expertise helps businesses safeguard their reputation and proprietary assets to navigate the complexities of today’s digital marketplace.

If someone is impersonating your trademarked business identity to poach customers or phish for their funds - call me. If the USPTO refuses to register your trademark for reasons you cant understand - call me. If you are facing a trademark Goliath and need experienced counsel to negotiate a solution both parties can live with – call me. If you need to investigate the source of a site counterfeiting your products and recover against an online abuser whose identity is masked or falsified - call me. If a former employee or contractor registered a domain that uses your trademark or screen-scraped your content for their bogus website – call me! If you need help vetting domains for a new business or crafting a new brand identity for your business- call me. We apply a creative and sophisticated legal approach to protecting creative works, securing distinctive brands, and turning away infringement trolls. Call me - we will answer your questions and keep you safe online.

I also lead the Florida office of a national law firm based in Silicon Valley with nationally known partners in venture capital, finance, banking, and IP, including patent prosecution by partners with the highest credentials in the engineering disciplines needed to obtain patents in the software, pharma, chemical, and electronics. We also collaborate on patent litigation, trade secrets litigation, R&D finance, and technology mergers and acquisitions. VLP provides the infrastructure and bench depth needed to stay current on evolving intellectual property areas our clients face within a predictable and low overhead budget.

When I started my practice here in intellectual property and corporate law after graduating from Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C. over 30 years ago, the Internet had not yet been born. Since that time, as the Internet and online business evolved,  I built and programmed my first computer and my practice has evolved.  I resolve intellectual property problems for hundreds of technology executives and business founders. Their companies ranged from tech startups to leading national consumer electronics distributors, NFL and MLB MVPs, international sports equipment manufacturers, national beverage distributors, media organizations, academic standards organizations, restaurant franchisors, universities, faith-based schools and ministries, hospitals, physicians, supplement developers, a startup airline, international cosmetics and perfume distributors and technology certification labs.

Like many of my clients, I too have had to make the hard business choices and manage the risks you take. As an inventor, business owner, programmer, and technologist, my experience, along with my training and business background gives me a deep appreciation for the business risks and rewards clients face and helps me understand and offer unique strategies to clients on protecting and fighting for their inventions, brands, and artistic works. My wife and I have raised our two sons in South Florida and are part of the unique multicultural business community that has prospered here. Call and let me show you how we can help meet your legal needs.