BRIAN SOMMER

Brian represents clients at the intersection of traditional entertainment and immersive media, such as: social media influencers, film and television financiers and producers, console and VR video game developers and AR/VR/MR hardware companies.

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Practice Areas

  • Artist Rights

  • Video Games

  • AR/VR/MR

  • Social Media Influencers

  • Digital Media

  • Film and Television

  • Entertainment and Technology Licensing

  • Fashion

  • Intellectual Property

  • Literary Property and Publishing

As an attorney with Immix’s IME Law division, Brian’s philosophy in practicing intellectual property law is to step back and understand the bigger picture beyond drafting and reviewing contracts. Taking a business-minded approach, he examines the client’s short-term and long-term objectives, shortcomings, risk tolerance and strengths, together with studying the idiosyncrasies of the opposing party (including the other party’s lawyer).  This approach time and time again has resulted in outcomes that exceed client expectations and maximize his client’s best interests.

Outside of his time as an attorney, Brian has extensive experience in manufacturing and design. His strong creative skills have proven invaluable throughout his time as an intellectual property attorney by giving him an innate ability to conceptualize artistic and technical matters and advocate for clients in more meaningful ways.

Brian particularly enjoys working with creative clients and social media influencers. And given the chance, he relishes every opportunity to put his legal, business and creative prowess to work on licensing transactions.

When not practicing law, Brian leads the company he founded, Urban Swell.  Urban Swell designs and manufactures the finest handcrafted hats using predominantly American-made components.

  • Oregon State Bar, Technology Law Section
  • Washington State Bar, Intellectual Property Section
  • New York Bar, Entertainment Arts & Sports Law Section
  • Moderator, “Changing the Game: Increasing Representation of Women in Games & Digital Media,” Women In Tech Regatta Seattle (2019)
  • Author, “Time ran out for TikTok: why the social networking app got clocked with a record-setting $5.7 million FTC penalty,” Influencer Update (2019)
  • Author, “When an influencer turns infamous—crisis management strategies for brands,” Influencer Update (2019)
  • Panelist, “Investor’s Panel,” XR on the Bay, Advanced Imaging Society (2018)
  • Speaker, “Virtual Law: A New Mindset for A New Reality,” Oregon State Bar Association (2018)
  • Author, “The Convergence of Virtual Reality and Social Media: What Legal Issues May Arise?” VR Voice (2018)
  • Panelist, “Investor’s Panel,” VR on the Lot, Advanced Imaging Society (2017)
  • Co-Author, “ZeniMax v. Oculus Lawsuit Awards $500M to Plaintiff, Verdict Detailed in Court Documents,” Road to VR (2017)
  • Co-Author, “$4 Billion ZeniMax v. Oculus Verdict Could Come as Early as Today, Here’s What You Need to Know,” Road to VR (2017)
  • Panelist, “VR Video Production From Concept to Delivery,” Cine Gear Expo, (2017)
  • Moderator, “New VREality,” Microsoft (2017)
  • Note: The PSLRA Decade of Decadence: Improve Balance in the Private Securities Litigation Arena with a Screening Panel Approach, 44 WASHBURN J. 413 (2005)
  • Comment: Interpreting 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code: Substantive Law Approach Versus Policy-Based Arguments, 43 WASHBURN L.J. 489 (2004)
  • Washington State and Federal Courts
  • Oregon State Courts
  • New York State Courts
  • Washburn University School of Law, J.D., Dean’s Honors, 2005
  • University of Tampa, B.S. in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, 2001