Zachary A.P. Oubre
Shareholder, Industry Group Leader

Zach Oubre is an intellectual property attorney and litigator whose practice centers on patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation as well as disputes concerning non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, deceptive trade practices, and unfair competition. He has secured trial and pre-trial wins for numerous clients covering a broad range of industries in federal and state courts across the country.
Zach’s practice also includes a wide array of licensing and other transactional matters involving intellectual property assets. He has assisted numerous clients with negotiating and drafting asset purchase agreements and intellectual property licenses, worked on mergers and acquisitions involving all types of intellectual property, assisted clients with coexistence and consent agreements, and helped with various agreements for the licensing, development or implementation of software and data. He also routinely assists clients with the clearance, prosecution (searches, opinion letters, filing, prosecution, appeals and maintenance of applications and registrations), and enforcement of a wide array of intellectual property, including copyright and trademarks. Zach’s enforcement practice is not isolated to litigation, as he also handles online and social media disputes and assists clients in proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His experience also includes helping clients navigate various state and federal sales laws governing sweepstakes, contests and other promotional and advertising activities.
Zach is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and co-leader of the firm’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Group. His practice includes identifying, evaluating and managing risks associated with clients’ privacy and cybersecurity issues and advising clients on implementing privacy policy frameworks, data breach notification procedures, and compliance with various state, federal and foreign privacy laws. He has assisted numerous clients with security incidents and breaches and routinely revises and drafts terms and conditions and privacy policies for clients’ websites and businesses.
Outside of the intellectual property arena, Zach has represented clients in a broad range of commercial disputes and has defended employers and management in employment and other commercial and class-action matters. A portion of his practice remains devoted to complex commercial litigation.
Zach is a contributing author and editor of the Oklahoma and Arkansas chapters of U.S. State Trademark and Unfair Competition Law, a comprehensive reference guide published annually by the International Trademark Association. He also has been interviewed by The Oklahoman, served as a guest legal columnist for The Journal Record business newspaper, and contributed to EmployerLINC, a law blog dedicated to employers and workplace issues. He has also provided lessons on intellectual property law at the Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business.
Zach’s achievements have earned him inclusion in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Oklahoma Super Lawyers‘ list of “Oklahoma Rising Stars,” and The Best Lawyers in America (advertising law; commercial litigation; copyright law; intellectual property litigation; patent litigation; privacy and data security law; trade secrets law; trademark law). He was honored by Best Lawyers as “Oklahoma City Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year” for 2024, “Oklahoma City Trade Secrets Lawyer of the Year” for 2023, and “Oklahoma City Trademark Lawyer of the Year” for 2023, honors given to a single lawyer in each legal specialty in each community.
While attending law school, Zach interned with the University of Oklahoma Office of Legal Counsel and worked on numerous litigation matters concerning the university. Before joining McAfee & Taft, he worked for Cox Communications for five years as a sales manager while earning his undergraduate degree in economics from the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma.
Download Bio (PDF)Representative Experience
Intellectual Property
- Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a Tennessee-based boat manufacturer in an action brought by a competitor in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The trial involved two consolidated suits in which the competitor alleged infringement of multiple patents directed to surf wake systems and claimed entitlement to lost profits in excess of $10 million as well as a reasonable royalty and permanent injunction. Obtained a directed verdict of noninfringement as to one patent during trial as well as a jury verdict of non-infringement and invalidity for the remaining two patents.
- Obtained jury verdict of nearly $6 million on behalf of a national manufacturer of oil and gas equipment in an action against a former executive and former distributor involving allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, breach of contract, tortious interference, conversion, deceptive trade practices, and breach of fiduciary duties in the District Court of Washita County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained permanent injunction and award of attorneys’ fees for multi-state restaurant chain in trademark infringement suit involving unapproved use of registered trademarks in the Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction in favor of non-profit religious institution in litigation against foreign corporation involving allegations of counterfeiting and trademark infringement in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of misappropriation of trade secret allegation brought against national oil and gas company in the Third Judicial District of Salt Lake City, State of Utah, where plaintiff claimed company had misappropriated proprietary fuel system developed during joint venture.
- Obtained permanent injunction in favor of oil and gas service company in lawsuit brought in District Court for Blaine County alleging misappropriation of oil and gas company’s trade secrets by competitor.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of national retailer in patent infringement suit brought in Western District of Arkansas seeking in excess of $12 million dollars for alleged infringement of patents directed to folding chairs.
- Successfully invalidated two patents involved in a dispute over alleged multimillion-dollar infringement of gaming patents. Ruling invalidating the patents affirmed by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Obtained dismissal of multimillion-dollar fraud and misappropriation claims against national oil and gas company brought by website developer in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, claiming that the energy company wrongfully used proprietary software program. Dismissal affirmed on appeal.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of online workforce training company in lawsuit initiated by competitor in the Western District of Washington alleging claims of copyright infringement and false advertising.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of Oklahoma-based manufacturer of oil and gas production control equipment which initiated suit in the Western District of Oklahoma contending that internationally-known competitor had willfully infringed trade dress.
- Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of oil and gas production equipment manufacturer alleged to have conspired with former employees of competitor to misappropriate trade secrets in multi-defendant litigation in the District Court of Cleveland County, Oklahoma.
- Successfully obtained judgment in favor of multi-state food retailer against international restaurant chain in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceeding denying the international restaurant chain’s application for federal registration of its trademark in the United States, holding the mark to be confusingly to the multi-state food retailer’s.
- Successfully obtained judgment in favor of international food distributor in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceeding denying application for federal registration of a competing trademark in the United States, holding the mark to be confusingly to the multi-state food distributor’s.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of professional athlete in suit for unauthorized use of likeness in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of Oklahoma-based cleaning supply company defending claims from a Washington-based manufacturer in the Western District of Oklahoma that the supply company had misappropriated trade secrets.
- Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of California-based décor manufacturer in copyright infringement suit brought in the Western District of Oklahoma.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of false advertising claims brought against multi-state retail furniture company in action against competitor in the Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of manufacturer and distributor of pet supplies which initiated suit in the Northern District of Texas contending that competitor had infringed copyright.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of nationally recognized human capital management software company in action alleging claims of trademark infringement by California-based company in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of a national personnel company in action against competitor alleging trademark infringement suit in the Southern District of Texas.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of a commercial weather company alleging claims of copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets against competitor in Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained dismissal of patent infringement claims against software licensor in the Middle District of Florida for lack of standing. Dismissal affirmed by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Obtained temporary restraining order and favorable settlement in favor of multi-state distributor of building materials in suit involving allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets against former employee and competitor in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained temporary restraining order and favorable settlement in favor of personnel company in suit involving allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets against former employee and competitor in District Court of Garfield County, Oklahoma.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets against website developer in Western District of Oklahoma brought by competitor and based on the hiring of competitor’s former employee.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of national oil and gas company defendant in patent infringement suits in Eastern District of Texas.
- Successfully obtained a stay of litigation and favorable settlement in favor of defendant milling company in patent infringement suit in District of Nebraska.
- Represented Baker Hughes Energy Services, LLC in the donation of the state-of-the-art Baker Hughes Energy Innovation Center property, located in Oklahoma City’s Innovation District, to Oklahoma State University.
- Represented international oil and gas company in Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Proceeding (UDRP) and successfully obtained infringing domain name violating company’s trademark rights.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of book distributor in Uniform Dispute Resolution Proceeding regarding alleged domain squatting.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of opposition proceeding before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in favor of national food distributor.
- Obtained favorable settlement for multi-state clothing retailer in trademark infringement suit in Southern District of Texas.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of a plaintiff alleging infringement of a patent directed toward the oil and gas industry in Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlements in favor of defendant retailer in copyright infringement suits in Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of national grocer and food distributor in trademark infringement suit brought by a competitor in the Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement for movie producers in an action involving copyright ownership of documentary in Northern District of Dallas.
- Represented a premier manufacturer of metal buildings and structural steel components in the compilation, documentation and transfer of its intellectual property portfolio as part of a merger transaction.
- Represented an international online training course company in the compilation, documentation and transfer of its intellectual property portfolio as part of an acquisition.
- Represented media company in the compilation, documentation and transfer of its intellectual property portfolio as part of an acquisition.
- Represented investment company in the compilation, documentation and transfer of intellectual property portfolio in an acquisition transaction.
- Obtained favorable settlement for local clothing retailer in trademark infringement suit in Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable judgment in favor of insurance company against former employee in misappropriation of trade secrets action in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained cancellation of federal trademark registration in proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in favor of multi-state retail clothing company.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of national food distributor in opposition proceeding before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Representation of numerous entities, including national food chains and national retail chains, with respect to trademark clearance and prosecution (e.g., searches, opinion letters, filing, prosecution, appeals and maintenance of applications and registrations) as wells as opposition proceedings.
- Representation of numerous entities with respect to enforcement of intellectual property rights involving print and online media, including a wide array of social media such as Facebook ®, YouTube ®, and Pinterest ®.
- Representation of numerous entities involving the drafting of a wide range of agreements, including patent, trademark and copyright licenses; employment agreements; and coexistence and consent agreements.
- Representation of numerous entities involving the review and negotiation of commercial software licenses, promotional contest terms and conditions, and terms and privacy policies governing commercial websites.
- Representation of numerous entities for copyright prosecution and filing, including copyrights directed toward architectural designs and software.
Business Litigation
- Successfully defended against successor liability and fraudulent transfer claims made by Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner alleging more than $10 million dollars of liability by obtaining summary judgment in the Western District of Oklahoma. Judgment affirmed on appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals despite appellant’s arguments that district court should have abstained from litigation due to novel issues of state law.
- Obtained favorable ruling on a motion to dismiss in favor of multi-state oil and gas company against a software developer resulting in dismissal with prejudice of miscellaneous tort claims alleging the defendant had misused the plaintiff’s intellectual property in action in District Court for Oklahoma County.
- Successfully obtained reversal of judgments against numerous multi-state restaurant companies in appeal before Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of distributor of oil and gas equipment in action claims of defective equipment involving West Virginia-based services company and international equipment manufacturer in the Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained confirmation of arbitration award in Eastern District of Texas while successfully defending against opposition moving to vacate the award.
- Obtained favorable settlement for medical company in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, in suit against information systems company.
- Obtained favorable settlement for investment company in Pennsylvania state court in commercial breach of contract suit.
- Obtained favorable settlement for lumber distributor in District Court of Oklahoma County in litigation involving claims of negligence and defective material.
- Obtained favorable settlement for subcontractor in multi-party construction litigation immediately prior to jury trial in District Court of Canadian County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement in favor of a sales representative seeking multimillion-dollar damage award for breach of contract suit in Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable judgment for purchaser of hospital assets in breach of contract case in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of commercial lessor in breach of contract suit and successfully obtained judgment of lessor’s attorneys’ fees in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Successfully defended employer against breach of contract claims with motion to dismiss in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
Pro Bono Representation
- Successfully defended indigent individual against government allegations under the False Claims Act seeking more than $300,000 of liability by obtaining dismissal of lawsuit in Western District of Oklahoma.
- Obtained favorable settlement and order of final judgment for single mother in paternity suit seeking unpaid child support, custody determination, and child support in District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
- Represented three minor children as a volunteer attorney for Oklahoma Lawyers for Children in termination of parental rights and adoption proceedings before the Juvenile Division of the Oklahoma County District Court.
Honors and Awards
- Listed in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (advertising law; commercial litigation; copyright law; intellectual property litigation; patent litigation; privacy and data security law; trade secrets law; trademark law)
- Named “Oklahoma City Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year” for 2024, “Oklahoma City Trade Secrets Lawyer of the Year” for 2023, and “Oklahoma City Trademark Lawyer of the Year” for 2023 by The Best Lawyers in America
- Named to Oklahoma Super Lawyers’ list of “Oklahoma Rising Stars,” which recognizes the state’s up-and-coming attorneys
Professional Organizations and Memberships
- Oklahoma Bar Association (Intellectual Property Section)
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
Civic Involvement and Leadership
- Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (2017-2018 Leadership Council, Class III)
At The Podium
2022 Privacy Round-Up
2022 Privacy Round-Up
Phight the Phish: A Program to Build Cyber Hygiene and Security Awareness
The Cybersecurity and Privacy Playbook: A strategic guide for business
Data Insecurity
Data Insecurity
A Practical Overview of Privacy and Security for In-House Counsel
Westward Bound? How the CCPA Will Affect You
Trade Secrets: Strategies for identifying, protecting and enforcing intellectual property
Intellectual Property Is Relevant To Every Business
‘Social’ Security — Protecting your company from the hidden pitfalls of social media
Sweepstakes, Contests and Not Gambling
Articles
Court clears new way for trademark owners to serve foreign infringers
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | December 13, 2022Oklahoma Legislature files privacy law focused on data protection and national security concerns
CybersecurityLINC Alert | September 13, 2021As Oklahoma data privacy legislation hits roadblock, bill’s original co-authors continue to seek hearing
McAfee & Taft Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Alert | April 2, 2021Oklahoma Legislature looks to pass numerous new consumer privacy laws
McAfee & Taft Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Alert | March 8, 2021Oklahoma the latest state to consider consumer data privacy legislation
McAfee & Taft Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Alert | January 22, 20212020 relief bill includes sweeping changes to trademark and copyright law
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | January 19, 2021Will even stricter California privacy law spark push for national consumer privacy reform?
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet Alert | December 15, 2020Supreme Court ruling provides increased potential for brand owners to seek infringers’ profits
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | April 27, 2020New year to ring in nation’s most comprehensive privacy law
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | November 13, 2019Privacy Gone Public: How growing push for privacy laws may affect U.S. businesses
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | June 6, 2019Selecting EHR Vendors: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
McAfee & Taft Healthcare Update | January 29, 2018IP holding companies offer potential added protection benefits
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | December 1, 2016Defend Trade Secrets Act requires immediate review of confidentiality agreements with employees and contractors
McAfee & Taft TIPsheet Alert and McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC Alert | May 26, 2016The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: Implications for business, employers and employees
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet and McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC | May 4, 2016Changes to Federal Rules to affect patent infringement pleadings
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet Alert | December 15, 2015Consumer Protection in 2014: A Review of Recent FTC Consumer Protection Measures and Trends to Watch Out for in the New Year
For the Defense | June 1, 2014Legal risks on the rise for businesses that auto‑dial, text
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | November 1, 2013Concerns over copyright infringement drive Google to change search algorithms
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | November 1, 2012Rehiring veterans is simple, but it can be dangerous for employers
Oklahoma Employment Law Letter | September 1, 2012House bill takes aim against patent trolls, frivolous lawsuits
McAfee & Taft tIPsheet | August 1, 2012Media

Best Lawyers names 18 McAfee & Taft attorneys 2024 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ in 23 practice areas
August 23, 2023
What You Need to Know About Data Privacy and Cybersecurity: Mitigating and Responding to Data Breaches
March 17, 2021