Gordon Troy

Gordon is well-known throughout the Pilates community for his work as lead counsel on the landmark Pilates trademark lawsuit that culminated in 2000.

Read More

In her judgment, U.S. District Court Judge Miriam Cedarbaum ruled that Pilates trademarks were invalid and the word Pilates was generic due to consumer perception that Pilates was an exercise method. The ruling allows Pilates instructors and equipment manufacturers around the world to use the word Pilates without fear of legal action. Representing the Pilates Method Alliance, Gordon was also responsible for successfully stopping Pilates Inc. from trying to re-register the Pilates Studio trademark after the conclusion of the District Court case. The Trademark Office/Trademark Trial and Appeal Board held that Pilates Studio was also generic.

Gordon Troy is an Intellectual Property attorney whose practice, WebTM, is focused on the following areas:

• - U.S. and international trademark registration and maintenance services, including counseling clients on how to choose strong trademarks and use them to advantage;
• - U.S. trademark "agent" services to international law firms;
• - preparation and negotiation of licenses, contracts and other transactional documents involving trademark, copyrights, trade secrets, patents (but not patent registration) and other intellectual property;
• - preparation and negotiation of non-disclosure and non-competition agreements, general business contracts and contracts of employment;
• - transactional work related to the creation and operation of closely held corporations and limited liability companies;
• - preparation of employee handbooks and employment policies, and assistance with employee disputes;
• - litigation and resolution of matters pertaining to intellectual property, including trademark and copyright infringement, unfair competition claims, Internet and domain disputes, breach of covenants not to compete, etc.; and
• - representation in administrative proceedings (oppositions and cancellations) before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, together with affiliated attorneys, foreign trademark tribunals.

Prior to establishing WebTM, Mr. Troy worked in the computer industry designing and developing large mainframe systems in Chicago and New York. He then worked with boutique law firms in New York learning domestic and international trademark law while representing Fortune100 companies in trademark and unfair competition cases.

Mr. Troy received his B.A. degree from Rollins College and J.D. degree from John Marshall Law School in 1986. He is admitted to practice in Vermont, New York, Illinois, District of Columbia, and is a member of the Vermont and American Bar Associations. His practice is located in Shelburne, Vermont where he also resides with his wife, family and horses.