Mark J. Diliberti

Partner

Mark J. Diliberti

Partner

Mark Diliberti is a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Counseling Practice. He focuses on counseling clients on a full spectrum of brand management services including trademarks, copyrights, licensing, enforcement, advertising, and related litigation.

Clients described Mark as “an experienced and wise strategic counsellor with strong business acumen, well-developed negotiation skills, and a superior knowledge of non-traditional trademark protection.” His exceptional client service and contribution to business goals has resulted in his recognition as a globally acknowledged practitioner in World Trademark Review’s “WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.”

Mark has a demonstrated history of assisting clients in intensely competitive markets such as food and beverage, consumer product, professional sports, life science, and innovative technology, to name a few.

Mark represents clients in the licensing of their trademark assets and related agreements such as sponsorship deals, performance contracts, and endorsement agreements. He offers clients innovative protection for their market recognition and differentiation through his substantial experience with protecting unique and distinctive features of products and packaging, such as color and shape through trade dress and copyright protection.

Mark offers services beyond the development of trademarks a valuable corporate asset. He assists clients with intellectual property aspects of business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, financing, and joint ventures.

Outside of work, Mark channels his passions towards an activity that relies on his legal specialty – the music industry. Mark is a musician and songwriter who has played in multiple bands and recorded and released albums. He has played in the Riverwest Aces and The Pop Rocks. He currently plays guitar, sings, and writes songs in the melodic punk rock band Floor Model.

Awards and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America® – Litigation – Intellectual Property; Trademark Law (2024)
  • World Trademark Review, “WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals” directory (2021-present)
  • The Legal 500:
    • Trademarks, non-contentious (2012 – 2014, 2016 – 2017)
    • Marketing and advertising (2016 – 2017)
    • M: Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine, Leading Lawyer in IP” (2013 – 2014)
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers – Rising Stars®(2006 – 2007)
  • Foley’s Intellectual Property Department Founder’s Award, which recognized his service to clients, his colleagues and firm (2006)
  • Served on the firm’s national recruiting committee, leading intellectual property recruiting efforts for the Milwaukee office (2002 – 2004)
  • Served on the firm’s national associate’s committee for several years

Affiliations

  • Member, International Trademark Association
  • Member, Milwaukee Bar Association
  • Board member, Milwaukee Repertory Theater (2012 – 2015)
  • Member, Milwaukee’s East Town Association/Music

Mark is also a musician, active in the Milwaukee music community and band member in Floor Model, The Riverwest Aces and Bright Lights, Big City

Presentations and Publications

Mark has been a contributing author for the World Copyright Report and has been published in the ABA IPL Newsletter and others including:

  • Author, “High Ratio of U.S. Trademark Registrations to Assets Increases Annual Value,” IPWatchdog (May 2023).
  • Moderator, “Evolving Faces of Digital Media and Elusive Legal Solutions,” Foley’s 12th Annual IP Conference (September 2016).
  • Forum co-chair, “Digital Media – The Challenges of Managing Multi-Platform Legal Issues” (June 2014).
  • Contributing author, “Due Diligence for Intellectual Property: Valuing Assets in a Transaction,” Law Journal Press (2014).
  • Host and moderator, “Anti-Counterfeiting,” International Trademark Association Roundtable (September 2010).
  • Panelist, “Fireside Chat,” panel presentation at “Winning a Game of Inches: Gaining Momentum Through IP,” Foley’s Annual IP Conference, New York, NY (October 2010).
  • Presenter, “BOSE: A Wave of Relief for Trademark Practitioners?,” IP Section of the Milwaukee Bar Association (October 2009).
  • Author, “Which Type of IP Protection Is Right for Your Medical Device?,” MX Magazine (April 2009).
  • Author, “Colorful Rights: Trademark Protection for Color Schemes,” Legal News Alerts: Sports (December 2008).
  • Author, “IP Protection Menu for Medical Devices,” Legal News: Medical Devices (November 2008).
  • Author, “First Sale Doctrine Protects Sale of ‘Promotional Use Only’ CDs,” World Media Law Report (September 2008).
  • Author, “Copyright Protection Denied to Digital Models Created for Ad Campaign,” World Media Law Report (July 2008).
  • “Court Rejects RIAA’s Popular ‘Making Available’ Argument,” World Media Law Report (July 2008).
  • “StreamCast Ordered to Filter P2P Software But Escapes Being Shut Down,” World Copyright Law Report (November 2007).
  • “Circuits Finally Agree on Scanned Pages of National Geographic CD – ROM,” World Copyright Law Report (July 2007).
  • “Ninth Circuit Rejects Challenge to Copyright Protection for Orphan Works,” World Copyright Law Report (March 2007).
  • “Flea Market’s Theory of Secondary Liability Doesn’t Fit, So Court Doesn’t Buy,” World Copyright Law Report (May 2006).
  • “Supreme Court Leaves Circuits Divided Over National Geographic CD-Rom,” World Copyright Law Report (February 2006).
  • “Safe Harbour Provides a Generous Haven for Software Copied for Maintenance,” World Copyright Law Report (October 2005).
  • Presenter, “Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Studios v. Grokster Ltd.: The Balance Between Copyright and Innovation” (July 2005).
  • “Appeals Court Asks if FCC Broadcast Flag has ‘Crossed the Line’,” World Copyright Law Report (April 2005).
  • “Clash of Industry Giants in Use of Music Games,” World Copyright Law Report (July 2004).
  • “Belated Christmas Present for Fox in Copyright Case,” World Copyright Law Report (May 2004).
  • “Country Singer Gets the Blues Over Allegedly Infringing Photo,” World Copyright Law Report (April 2004).
  • Presenter, “Developing & Defending Color Marks” (June 2003).
  • Presenter, “Copyright Law and Misappropriation Doctrine,” State Bar of Wisconsin (March and June 2001).
  • Napster case summary, IPL Newsletter (Spring 2001).
07 February 2024 Honors and Awards

World Trademark Review Recognizes Foley Attorneys and Jurisdictions in 2024 Edition of WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Practitioners

Ten Foley & Lardner LLP attorneys and four firm jurisdictions have been recognized in the 2024 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Practitioners.
17 August 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys across 20 U.S. offices have received recognition in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
06 May 2023 Article

High Ratio of U.S. Trademark Registrations to Assets Increases Annual Value

Brands — legally protected as trademarks — have value. We all understand that intuitively. Registering brands as federal trademarks also provides significant legal benefits, such as the presumption of ownership, validity, and nationwide priority in the mark.
24 February 2023 Honors and Awards

World Trademark Review Recognizes Foley Attorneys and Offices in 2023 Edition of WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Practitioners

Nine Foley & Lardner LLP attorneys and three firm offices have been recognized in the 2023 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Practitioners.
03 March 2022 Honors and Awards

World Trademark Review Recognizes Foley Attorneys and Offices in 2022 Edition of WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Practitioners

Nine Foley attorneys and three Foley offices have been named in the 2022 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Practitioners.
30 March 2021 The Path & The Practice

Podcast Episode 41: Mark Diliberti, Partner

This episode of The Path & The Practice features a conversation with Mark Diliberti. Mark is a partner in Foley’s Milwaukee office and co-chair of the firm’s Copyright & Advertising Practice. Mark reflects on growing up in Milwaukee, WI, attending Marquette University and the University of Chicago Law School.