Melanie Dempster

In the news

• The Boston Globe

  From Blizzard legal battles to 15 minutes of casket fame, it was another weird, wacky year in Boston business

  This column of notable Boston-area business news from 2022 includes client W.B. Mason Co.’s trial victory in a trademark infringement and dilution case brought by Dairy Queen related to the client’s BLIZZARD private-label spring water. The article mentions the firm for representing W.B. Mason. NP’s trial team, led by Intellectual Property partner and Cybersecurity & Privacy practice group leader Jason Kravitz, included Cybersecurity & Privacy counsel Gina McCreadie, associates Leslie Hartford and Melanie Dempster, and Complex Disputes senior counsel Deborah Thaxter, all of the Boston office.

  Dec 26, 2022
• Minnesota Lawyer

  Dairy Queen loses round in dispute over BLIZZARD name

  Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz is quoted in this article covering the recent win for client W.B. Mason Co., finding that the company didn’t violate Dairy Queen’s trademark rights by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. The NP trial team, led by Jason, also included Privacy & Technology counsel Gina McCreadie and associates Leslie Hartford and Melanie Dempster, and Complex Disputes senior counsel Deborah Thaxter, all of the Boston office.
  July 7, 2022
• Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

  In 'blizzard' battle, W.B. Mason tops Dairy Queen

  Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz is quoted throughout this article covering the recent federal court win for client W.B. Mason Co., finding that the company didn’t violate Dairy Queen’s trademark rights by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. The NP trial team, led by Jason, also included Privacy & Technology counsel Gina McCreadie and associates Leslie Hartford and Melanie Dempster, and Complex Disputes senior counsel Deborah Thaxter, all of the Boston office.
  July 1, 2022
• World Intellectual Property Review

  Lost in a blizzard: Buffett's Dairy Queen trademark loss

  Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz is quoted throughout this article covering the recent federal court decision in favor of client W.B. Mason Co., finding that the company did not violate Dairy Queen’s trademark rights by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. The NP trial team, led by Jason, also includes Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and associate Leslie Hartford, and Complex Disputes senior counsel Deborah Thaxter and associate Melanie Dempster, all of the Boston office. The win earned them recognition as runners-up for AmLaw’s “Litigator of the Week.”
  June 23, 2022
• Boston Business Journal

  W.B. Mason defeats Dairy Queen in 'Blizzard' trademark fight

  The following article covers a federal court’s decision in favor of client W.B. Mason Co., finding that the business products company had not violated Dairy Queen’s trademark rights, or otherwise harmed DQ, by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. Following a fall 2021 trial, the decision marks a complete win for W.B. Mason, and enables the company to continue using the BLIZZARD name. The articles quote Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz, who led the trial team for W.B. Mason. The NP trial team also included Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and Complex Disputes associate Melanie Dempster, both of the Boston office and the Privacy & Technology group.
  June 21, 2022
• Reuters

  Warren Buffett's Dairy Queen loses lawsuit over ‘Blizzard’ name

  The following article covers a federal court’s decision in favor of client W.B. Mason Co., finding that the business products company had not violated Dairy Queen’s trademark rights, or otherwise harmed DQ, by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. Following a fall 2021 trial, the decision marks a complete win for W.B. Mason, and enables the company to continue using the BLIZZARD name. The articles quote Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz, who led the trial team for W.B. Mason. The NP trial team also included Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and Complex Disputes associate Melanie Dempster, both of the Boston office and the Privacy & Technology group.
  June 21, 2022
• NBC Boston

  WB Mason defeats Dairy Queen in Blizzard trademark fight

  The following clip covers a federal court’s decision in favor of client W.B. Mason Co., which found that the business products company had not violated Dairy Queen’s trademark rights, or otherwise harmed DQ, by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. Following a fall 2021 trial, the decision marks a complete win for W.B. Mason, and enables the company to continue using the BLIZZARD name. The NP trial team, led by Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz, also includes Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and associate Leslie Hartford, and Complex Disputes senior counsel Deborah Thaxter and associate Melanie Dempster, all of the Boston office.
  June 21, 2022
• Law360

  Judge shuts door on Dairy Queen's 'Blizzard' trademark fight

  The following clip covers a federal court’s decision in favor of client W.B. Mason Co., which found that the business products company had not violated Dairy Queen’s trademark rights, or otherwise harmed DQ, by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. Following a fall 2021 trial, the decision marks a complete win for W.B. Mason, and enables the company to continue using the BLIZZARD name. The NP trial team, led by Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz, also includes Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and associate Leslie Hartford, and Complex Disputes senior counsel Deborah Thaxter and associate Melanie Dempster, all of the Boston office.
  June 21, 2022
• Boston Globe

  Federal judge rules W.B. Mason's use of 'Blizzard' does not infringe on Dairy Queen's trademark

  The following article covers a federal court’s decision in favor of client W.B. Mason Co., finding that the business products company had not violated Dairy Queen’s trademark rights, or otherwise harmed DQ, by using the BLIZZARD name on its private-label spring water. Following a fall 2021 trial, the decision marks a complete win for W.B. Mason, and enables the company to continue using the BLIZZARD name. The articles quote Boston Intellectual Property partner and Privacy & Technology practice group leader Jason Kravitz, who led the trial team for W.B. Mason. The NP trial team also included Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and Complex Disputes associate Melanie Dempster, both of the Boston office and the Privacy & Technology group.
  June 20, 2022
• Star Tribune

  Dairy Queen goes to court over Blizzard name

  This coverage provides an overview of the W.B. Mason and Dairy Queen trial underway in Minnesota, in which DQ alleges that W.B. Mason’s house brand of BLIZZARD spring water infringes and dilutes DQ’s BLIZZARD mark. Intellectual Property practice co-leader Jason Kravitz, of the Boston office, is leading the W.B. Mason trial team, which also includes Intellectual Property counsel Gina McCreadie and associate Leslie Hartford, and Complex Commercial Disputes resident attorney Melanie Dempster, all of the Boston office.
  Oct 19, 2021