Donnelly, James A.

Eric W. Doney is a 30 year partner of Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP, specializing in the computer hardware and software industries, small to medium sized businesses of various types, and representing artists in the music industry. His clients range from some of the largest software companies in the world to start-up operations on the cutting edge of technology. Mr. Doney also maintains a substantial practice in the music industry including representation of Santana, Phish, Journey, Ratdog, and several emerging artists. Mr. Doney’s practice is focused on corporate and intellectual property matters, including copyright and trademark enforcement, copyright, trademark and music licensing, and a wide variety of issues facing artists in the rapidly changing music business. Mr. Doney also has acted as outside general counsel to a number of businesses, providing expert advice and handling transactions relating to such diverse issues as corporate acquisitions and dispositions, finance, securities regulation, employment, and general contractual matters. For over 35 years, Mr. Doney has represented scores of emerging and high-growth companies, giving him an in-depth understanding of all aspects of business structure, operations and management. He has advised small companies from inception, including directing negotiations with venture capital firms and providing advice during initial and secondary public offerings and works regularly with individual artists. He is especially skilled at identifying legal strategies that produce practical, real-world solutions.

In addition to his corporate, business and music law practices, Mr. Doney has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s software anti-piracy programs. The firm’s unique approach to software anti-piracy was begun over 20 years ago with Autodesk, Inc., one of the largest PC software companies in the world. The Autodesk program has become a model for the industry and remains the most successful single company program in the world, having realized over $100 million in recoveries. These programs offer an innovative, cost-effective approach to businesses losing revenues due to illegal use of their software products. Clients may elect to retain the firm as a turn-key operation – directed by Mr. Doney – in which our personnel identify and pursue infringers and, if necessary, pursue civil litigation against businesses and individuals found using improperly obtained software. In all of the programs operated by the firm, clients have realized substantial profits in excess of total fees charged, thus converting traditional legal cost centers into profit centers. Clients may opt to have the firm handle only specific aspects of in-house programs or assume responsibility for all anti-piracy operations.

Mr. Doney is also involved in the firm’s programs to enforce and enhance the value of trademarks through innovative programs including the systematic reclamation of domain names that include famous registered trademarks.  

Mr. Doney was awarded his law degree by the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D., 1977). He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the University of California at Davis (B.A., 1973). He became associated with Donahue Gallagher upon earning his law degree and became a partner in the firm in 1983. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the Alameda County Bar Association.