Karen K. Gaunt Appointed to World Baseball Softball Confederation

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Karen Kreider Gaunt was appointed to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Legal Commission. A link to the WBSC Legal Commission can be found here: http://www.wbsc.org/joint-commissions/legal-commission/

The WBSC is the international governing body for the sports of baseball and softball. The WBSC was established in 2013 by the historic merger of the International Softball Federation and International Baseball Federation, the former respective international governing bodies for baseball and softball. The WBSC has 208 National Federation Members in 141 countries and is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The WBSC is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (“IOC”) as the sole competent global authority for both the sports of baseball and softball.

Ms. Gaunt is one of four members on the Legal Commission, and one of only two members appointed from the United States. As a member of the WBSC Legal Commission, Gaunt will serve the WBSC in a consultant and advisory role on legal and ethical issues concerning the WBSC including governance and operational issues, sport regulation, review of host and commercial contracts and application of international laws and regulations affecting the WBSC. Gaunt was nominated to the WBSC by her longstanding client, USA Baseball, the national governing body for the sport of baseball in the United States, and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) and the WBSC.

“USA Baseball is a dream client, and I am very honored they considered me for nomination to the WBSC Legal Commission. I am likewise, honored to be appointed to the Legal Commission,” said Gaunt. “USA Baseball is passionate about making the sport of baseball accessible, secure, and fun for players and fans of all ages, and in growing the game from the grassroots level, all the way through to international competitions. I am proud to share USA Baseball’s passion with the WBSC community.”

Ms. Gaunt is a partner in the Intellectual Property Department, and chair of the firm’s Trademark and Copyright Practice Group. Gaunt counsels clients on both transactional and litigation matters involving all aspects of domestic and international trademark and branding matters, copyright, advertising, e-commerce, commercial contracts, anti-counterfeiting, supply chain management issues, licensing, promotions and marketing matters. Gaunt provides her clients with holistic advice on brand development, strategic positioning, protection and enforcement, for both iconic and developing brand identities.