Fredrikson, Courtney Thompson and Ann Dunn Wessberg Recognized in Copyright 1000 2026

Fredrikson and shareholders Courtney A. H. Thompson and Ann Dunn Wessberg have been recognized in the inaugural edition of Copyright 1000, a new ranking published by World Trademark Review and IAM (registration required to view rankings). Fredrikson is one of only four firms recommended in Minnesota, highlighted for its "practical, business-focused copyright practice that complements its strengths in advertising, marketing and brand protection." Thompson is commended for combining strategic counseling with enforcement expertise and for her ability to "weave copyright considerations into wider regulatory, advertising and corporate transactions." Wessberg is recognized for her leadership and depth of experience, including her work "guiding businesses through the copyright implications of generative AI and other emerging technologies."

Thompson focuses her practice at the intersection of business transactions and intellectual property protection. She uses her expertise to collaborate with clients and enhance the value of their companies by providing comprehensive brand management advice and counseling. Thompson oversees large domestic and international intellectual property portfolios. She assists clients with clearance, use, prosecution, maintenance, and related agreements, as well as enforcement and defense of trademarks, copyrights, and domain names through cease-and-desist letters, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices, proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and the Copyright Claims Board (CCB), Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings, and anti-counterfeiting programs. She also regularly collaborates with litigation teams to protect intellectual property rights. 

Helping clients build strong brands, avoid infringement and protect their brands and creative works, Wessberg has served as a trademark and copyright attorney in private practice and in-house for more than 30 years. As former chief trademark counsel for Target, Wessberg is uniquely familiar with business challenges in-house counsel face in terms of pressures on people, time and money. Wessberg tailors her solutions to busy executives who need to navigate risk. Wessberg provides advice and counseling on trademark and copyright matters. She has a Fortune 50-style brand plan she can resize to any company to select, protect, defend and enforce trademarks to build strong brands. She searches trademarks to find strong, enforceable marks. She files and prosecutes trademark applications through to registration and maintenance. Her practice also includes registration and counseling on copyright matters, including pre-production copyright review and termination of copyright. She actively enforces and defends trademarks and copyrights through offensive and defensive cease-and-desist correspondence, DMCA and trademark takedown notices, oppositions, cancellations and litigation.

Copyright 1000 - the World's Leading Copyright Professionals is a unique guide identifying the leading copyright practitioners across key jurisdictions worldwide. Focused exclusively on copyright law and practice, the Copyright 1000 is designed to serve as a trusted resource for businesses, creators, rights holders, and counsel seeking outstanding copyright expertise.

Fredrikson & Byron is a leading Midwest law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally and globally. With a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet,” our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients and operate as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors. The firm’s 425 attorneys serve clients from offices in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Mexico and China. Learn more at fredlaw.com or LinkedIn.