HAROLD R. BRUNO, III

Harold R. Bruno, III specializes in franchise and intellectual property litigation and arbitration. He also has a wide range of experience in trademark registration and commercial litigation. He received his undergraduate degree in finance with honors in 1982 from the University of Illinois and his law degree in 1985 from the University of Colorado. Bruno is admitted to practice law in Colorado and the District of Columbia as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th, 9th, 10th and Federal Circuits.

Bruno has been recognized by 5280 Magazine as a Colorado Super Lawyer® in Intellectual Property Litigation. Furthermore, he is an approved arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association. He is a member of the Litigation and Intellectual Property sections of the Colorado Bar Association, and a member of the Denver Bar Association. Bruno is also a member of the American Bar Association's Intellectual Property Law Section and the ABA Forum Committee on Franchising. Additionally, he was President of Temple Micah from 2007 to 2009.

Areas of Practice:
Appellate/Appeals
Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
Franchising
Trademarks, Copyrights & Trade Secrets

Representative Reported Cases:

MRW, Inc. v. Big O Tires, LLC, 2009 WL 3368438 (E.D. Cal. 2009) - obtained summary judgment for franchisor on franchisee's California unfair business practice claim.

Halle Properties, LLC v. Bassett and Big O Tires, Inc., 2007 WL 2344931 (C.D. Cal. 2007) - successfully defended franchisor against competitor's claim of interference with contractual relations.

Bassett Seamless Guttering, Inc. v. GutterGuard, LLC, 501 F. Supp. 738 (M.D.N.C. 2007) - obtained settlement for distributor in territorial dispute with manufacturer and other distributor.

Murray v. Cars Collision Center of Colorado, LLC, 2006 WL 456266 (D. Colo. 2006) - received summary judgment for employer on claim of discrimination in employment termination.

Rhino Linings USA, Inc. v. Rocky Mountain Rhino Lining, Inc., 62 P.2d 3d 142 (Colo. 2003)- argued to the Colorado Supreme Court applicability of Colorado Consumer Protection Act to distributor relationship.

Big O Tires, Inc. v. Bigfoot 4x4, Inc., 167 F.Supp. 2d 1216 (D. Colo. 2001) - obtained preliminary injunction for trademark owner against "monster truck" company attempting to expand its trade channel.

Rocky Mountain Rhino Lining, Inc. v. Rhino Linings USA, Inc., 37 P.3d 458 (Colo. App. 2001) - received judgment for distributor for breach of contract and attorney fees against manufacturer in territorial dispute.

Buttler v. Benson, 193 F.R.D. 664 (D. Colo. 2000) - successfully defended parents against son's former business partner.

U.S. v. Crumpton, 54 F.Supp.2d 986 (D. Colo. 1999) - pro bono criminal defense.

I Can't Believe it's Yogurt v. Gunn, 1997 WL 599391 (D. Colo. 1997) - obtained permanent injunction for franchisor on franchisee's post termination use of trademarks and trade dress. Enforced post termination covenant not to compete.

Grease Monkey International, Inc. v. Ralco Lubrication Services, Inc., 24 F.Supp.2d 120 (D.Mass. 1998) - covenant not to compete and royalty litigation with ex-franchisee for franchisor.

Mitel, Inc. v. Iqtel, Inc., 124 F.3d 1366 (10th Cir. 1997) - defeated copyright infringement claim of rival manufacturer based on functionality defense.

Desktop Images, Inc. v. Ames, 929 F.Supp. 1339 (D.Colo. 1996) - defended publisher against author's claim of copyright infringement.

Haluska v. RAF financial Corp., 875 F.Supp. 825 (N.D.Ga. 1994) - compelled arbitration for securities brokerage firm.

Smith v. Denver Food Systems, Inc., 1994 WL 551561 (E.D. Pa. 1994) - defeated franchisee's claims against franchisor brought by franchisee after previous arbitration.

Guiness PLC v. Ward, 955 F.2d 875 (4th Cir. 1992) - litigation involving enforcement of judgment obtained in the United Kingdom.

Shell Oil Co. v. Commercial Petroleum, 928 F. 2d 104 (4th Cir. 1991) - obtained trademark injunction for oil company against reseller of product outside authorized distribution system.

Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County v. Peterson, 1989 WL 1110897 (Va. Cir. Ct. 1989) - litigation involving dispute between developer and county.

NBC Subsidiary (KCNC-TV), Inc. v. Broadcast Information Services, Inc., 717 F. Supp. 1449 (D. Colo. 1988) - obtain summary judgment for alleged infringer on author's claim for statutory damages and attorney fees.