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Tom Polcyn

Partner

St. Louis
314 552 6331 314 552 6331 direct
314 667 3633 fax


Tom provides strategic intellectual property counseling to some of the world's largest consumer products companies and service providers, with a focus on IP portfolio management and enforcement. He is the co-chair of Thompson Coburn's Intellectual Property Practice Group and a member of the Firm's Management Committee.

Tom has spent his career helping companies protect and enforce their brands across the country and around the world. He excels at building strong, transparent relationships with in-house legal teams and developing streamlined processes for IP management and enforcement that provide clear oversight of global IP portfolios and greater predictability for legal expenses.

As chair of Thompson Coburn's IP group, Tom leads an experienced intellectual property team that focuses on strategic counseling, global IP portfolio management, litigation, and dispute resolution for some of the world's best-known consumer products companies and service providers. Their priority for each client is to design and implement long-term strategies for securing and maintaining the maximum protection and value of intellectual property assets.

Tom has extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications both domestically and internationally, covering a broad range of technical disciplines, including electric motor technology, industrial valve technology, sheet metal processing technology, vehicle drive systems, ballistic armor systems and business methods. Before attending law school, Tom studied mechanical engineering and worked with an environmental engineering consulting firm.

In his extensive work on international trademarks, Tom has prosecuted trademark applications in nearly 200 countries, and led work on trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings globally. Tom regularly negotiates and drafts license agreements, settlement agreements and other agreements relating to the domestic and international intellectual property rights of his clients.

Thompson Coburn Publications

New U.S. trademark and copyright procedures

Intellectual property and other legal priorities during COVID-19

Supreme Court harmonizes showing necessary for an award of profits, resolving circuit split in Romag Fasteners, Inc. v. Fossil, Inc.

USPTO: Extensions under the CARES Act during COVID-19

Trademark Office warns about deceptive trademark-related solicitations

What U.S. companies need to know about their IP rights post-Brexit

New changes to U.S. design patent law

Blogs

Copyright Office changes procedures for DMCA agent designations

Publications

Quoted, "Rewriting The Rules: Do We Need A New Kind Of Licence To Solve GenAI’s Author Problem?"
World Intellectual Property Review, October 9, 2023

Will the Jack Daniel’s case cause “Lotso” issues for Disney?,
World Intellectual Property Review, July 13, 2023

Intellectual property and other legal priorities during COVID-19;
Thompson Coburn website, June 5, 2020

Supreme Court harmonizes showing necessary for an award of profits, resolving circuit split in Romag Fasteners, Inc. v. Fossil Inc;
Thompson Coburn website, April 23, 2020

USPTO: Extensions under the CARES Act during COVID-19;
Thompson Coburn website, April 2, 2020

Trademark Office warns about deceptive trademark-related solicitations;
Thompson Coburn website, January 5, 2017

Copyright Office changes procedures for DMCA agent designations;
Thompson Coburn’s Internet Law Twists & Turns Blog, December 9, 2016

What U.S. companies need to know about their IP rights post-Brexit;
Thompson Coburn website, October 3, 2016

New changes to U.S. design patent law;
Thompson Coburn website, May 5, 2015

Presentations

Protecting Non-Traditional Trademarks, Trade Dress and Product Configuration;
Presentation to Washington University School of Law, March 28, 2018

IP Licensing: What entrepreneurs should know, and pitfalls to avoid;
Presentation to American Chemical Society, November 16, 2017

Trademarks and Trade Dress;
Presentation to Washington University School of Law, April 6, 2016

News

Thompson Coburn Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2024

Polcyn and Weidner Analyze the Impact of Jack Daniel's Decision on Disney's 'Lotso' Trademark Dispute

Chambers USA Recognizes Thompson Coburn Practices for Excellence in 2023 Guide

Summary judgment win for Canadian Standards Association

World Trademark Review names Tom Polcyn to 2023 WTR 1000 list

Tom Polcyn talks to Thomson Reuters’ ‘Technologist’ about the Metaverse

The Thompson Coburn brand enters the Metaverse

Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2022 Chambers USA

World Trademark Review names Tom Polcyn to WTR 1000 list

Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2021 Chambers USA

Congratulations to our 2021 Best Lawyers ‘Lawyers of the Year’ and ‘Ones to Watch’

Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2020 Chambers USA

Thompson Coburn gives an assist to St. Louis ownership group in successful bid for Major League Soccer team

17 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2019 Chambers USA

Thompson Coburn again named best copyright firm in the nation

Congratulations to our 14 'Lawyers of the Year' for 2018

Tom Polcyn named a Lexology Client Choice winner in Trademarks

A stitch in time: Thompson Coburn secures trademark protection for iconic Cherry Dress

Congratulations to our 2017 ‘Lawyers of the Year’

23 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2016 Chambers USA

Congratulations to our 8 ‘Lawyers of the Year’

25 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2015 Chambers USA

27 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2014 Chambers USA