About
I have a wide and varied practice in the fields of intellectual property, sweepstakes, advertising, e-commerce, Internet, and entertainment matters involving domain name disputes, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, rights of publicity, privacy compliance, defamation, licensing, and transfers. I also act as outside general counsel to a select number of small businesses.
I've recovered hundreds of infringing domain names on behalf of celebrities, athletes, sports personalities, Fortune 500 companies and other trademark owners, and I have significant experience in litigating, as well as in the pre-litigation resolution of, rights of publicity, rights of privacy and defamation issues on behalf of actors, musicians, and other individuals. I also regularly perform trademark evaluation, clearance and prosecution before the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
In the area of commercial litigation, I have broad experience involving international litigation, commodities fraud cases, contract disputes, employment litigation, creditor's rights, real estate litigation, and a host of business torts.
In the entertainment field, my clients have included numerous Grammy and ASCAP Award-winning recording artists, songwriters, and producers, major and independent record labels, music publishers, management companies and advertising agencies. As outside general counsel for an independent record label and artist management company, I handled the drafting of music publishing agreements, producer agreements, distribution agreements, live performance agreements, endorsement agreements and licensing agreements, and advised my client on intellectual property asset protection and enforcement.
I regularly negotiate and draft software, technology and digital media agreements and licenses, web design and development agreements, website user terms and conditions, privacy policies and mobile application software agreements, and regularly counsel clients in connection with state and federal rules and regulations governing sweepstakes and skills contests, helping clients with state registration requirements, compliance with disclosure and display requirements on television, online, other media formats, and in retail outlets.
Work history
2014 - Present: Fasthoff Law Firm PLLC
2011 - 2014: Adams and Reese LLP
1997 - 2011: Stumpf Cannon Fasthoff PC
Education and qualifications
University of Houston, 1997, Juris Doctor
Florida State University, 1994, B.S.
Hank was ranked as a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2007-2011 in the fields of Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Litigation, and was ranked in Best Lawyers® 2013 -2016 in Litigation - Intellectual Property Law. He has handled intellectual property and entertainment cases in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, and in cities throughout Texas.
Publications
• Intellectual Property Protection for Architectural Works & Other Designs,”2011 University of Texas Construction Law Seminar (September 2011)
• Litigation Updates, 19th Annual Cutting Edge Music Business Conference Entertainment Law Seminar (September 2011)
• The Role of Outside General Counsel for Music World Entertainment: A Conversation with Mathew Knowles and Hank Fasthoff, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (June 2008)
• Anatomy of a Copyright Infringement Case, State Bar of Texas 16th Annual Entertainment Law Institute: Legal & Business Aspects of Music, Film and Digital Entertainment (October 2006)
• Construction Liens, Mechanic’s Liens, and Bonds: A Guide for Lenders and Developers, The University of Texas School of Law 39th Annual William W. Gibson, Jr. Mortgage Lending Institute (October 2005)
• The Business of Film, Rice University Media Center – Lecturer on Copyright Law Topic: Pirates, Copiers & Plagiarists (February 2005)
• Construction Litigation: Breach of Contract, Implied Warranty, and Negligence Claims, Construction Defects and Insurance Coverage in Texas Seminar, Lorman Education Services (May 2004)
• Former radio talk show personality and part time co-host of the Houston Business Show on Business Radio 650 AM in Houston
• Surviving Internet Service Provider Laws & Regulations, Texas Internet Service Provider Association (March 2001)
• Are You The Master of Your Domain? Trademarks, Domain Names & Cybersquatting, The University of Texas School of Law 2000 Entertainment Law & Technology Conference (November 2000)
