Trademark Law Commercial Litigation Copyright Law Information Technology Law Litigation - Intellectual Property Technology Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Phoenix.
Maria Crimi Speth
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014 
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Maria practices in the areas of intellectual property, internet law, and commercial litigation, representing clients throughout the United States. She focuses her practice on assisting businesses in protecting their trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, information technology, and other intellectual property through preventative measures to avoid disputes and through litigation when disputes arise.
An accomplished author, she has recently published Protect Your Writings: A Legal Guide for Authors and Apple v. Samsung, The Balance Between Patent Rights and the Free Market.She has numerous articles and dozens of published court cases. Maria frequently speaks at seminars and workshops on intellectual property and internet law topics. She is a guest lecturer at Arizona State University and has appeared on radio and television providing legal commentary on intellectual property issues.
Maria is the past Chairperson of the Intellectual Property Section of the Arizona State Bar, and the past Chairperson of the E-commerce & Technology Section of the Arizona State Bar. She is a member of the International Trademark Association. Maria is on the American Arbitration National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators.
Overview
- English
- Hofstra University, J.D., graduated 1988
- Hofstra University, BA, graduated 1985
- New York, 1988
- Arizona, 1989
- Arizona State Bar Association - Past chair of E-commerce and Technology Section
- Arizona State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section - Executive Committee
- Arizona Technology Council - Startup & Entrepreneurship Committee
- International Trademark Association - Anti-counterfeiting Committee
- The Institute of Harmonic Science - Board of Directors
- YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix - Board of Directors
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1989
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1992
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 2018
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1992
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
- English
- New York, 1988
- Arizona, 1989
- Arizona State Bar Association - Past chair of E-commerce and Technology Section
- Arizona State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section - Executive Committee
- Arizona Technology Council - Startup & Entrepreneurship Committee
- International Trademark Association - Anti-counterfeiting Committee
- The Institute of Harmonic Science - Board of Directors
- YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix - Board of Directors
- Hofstra University, J.D., graduated 1988
- Hofstra University, BA, graduated 1985
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1989
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1989
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1992
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 2018
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1992
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2017
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Trademark Law, Phoenix (2026)
- Technology Law, Phoenix (2019)
- Trademark Law, Phoenix (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Copyright Law
- Information Technology Law
- Litigation - Intellectual Property
- Technology Law
- Trademark Law
Awards:
Best Lawyers in America-Copyright Law, Trademark Law, Technology Law, Information and Technology Law, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Phoenix Magazine - Top Lawyer, Intellectual Property & Technology, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Member of American Arbitration Association 2019 Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators
- Southwest Super Lawyer-Arizona, 2011-2012 and 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Gold, 2020
- Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Silver 2017,2018, 2019
- Rated AV Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell
- Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America- Technology Law, 2019
- Recognition of Excellence as Litigation Council of America Fellow
- Top 100 High Stakes Litigator
- AVVO Rated - Superb
- 2017 Women in the Law, Best Lawyers
- Arizona Business Leader -Intellectual Property Law, AZ Big Media, 2019
- Voted Best Intellectual Property Law Firm by Arizona Foothills Magazine
News & Media
Insights
Two Decisions, Two Distinct Approaches: What Recent AI Copyright Decisions Mean for Authors and Developers
Two recent federal court decisions from the Northern District of California provide early insight—conflicting at times—into how judges will begin to draw the boundaries of “fair use” in AI training.
Maria Crimi
Speth
Is AI Increasing Your Legal Fees?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, and the legal field is no exception. Clients today are increasingly turning to AI tools to assist with legal research or draft documents before bringing them to their attorneys.
Maria Crimi
Speth
Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Infringement, Navigating the Evolving Standards
In the ever-evolving landscape of intellectual property law, one of the most pressing challenges is posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
Maria Crimi
Speth
Does AI Infringe on Existing Copyrights?
Copyright law is aimed, first and foremost, at protecting and incentivizing human contributions to society.
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Maria Crimi
Speth
Can I Own Copyrights in Content Created or Partially Created by AI?
As the technology continues to advance, sprouting legal questions along the way, it is important to establish a foundational understanding of the current state of affairs at the intersection of AI and copyright law.
Maria Crimi
Speth
Internet Eviction: Using the UDRP to Boot Cybersquatters
Brand owners have various options available for dealing with cybersquatters.
Maria Crimi
Speth
When Can I Use Content Without Permission?
When Can I Use Content Without Permission?
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Maria Crimi
Speth
What Do I Do If My Copyrights Are Being Infringed?
What Do I Do If My Copyrights Are Being Infringed?
Maria Crimi
Speth
How Amazon’s Liability for Third Party Products Will Harm Amazon Sellers
How a Third Circuit ruling holding Amazon liable for third-party products impacts online sellers and marketplace liability
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Maria Crimi
Speth
Protect Your Copyrighted Works and Avoid Liability for your Website
Protect Your Copyrighted Works and Avoid Liability for your Website
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Maria Crimi
Speth
Fair Enough: The “Fair Use” Defense to Trademark Infringement
by Maria Crimi Speth and Aaron Haar
There are two arguments for fair use in a trademark infringement case. Here's your guide to understanding both.
Understanding the Benefits of Copyright Registration
by Maria Crimi Speth and Aaron Haar
If you aren't registering your copyrights with the United States Copyright Office, you're missing out on additional protections.
Why Register My Copyrights? The Benefits of Copyright Registration
Why Register My Copyrights? The Benefits of Copyright Registration
Maria Crimi
Speth
Additional Information
- Professional Experience
Author of Protect Your Writings: A Legal Guide for Authors, and Author of Protect Your Photographs: A Legal Guide for Photographers
Presents seminars for the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Small Business Association, The Inventors' Association of Arizona, National Business Institute, and Lorman Education Services, on intellectual property, Internet, and trademark protection.
Faculty member of the internationally acclaimed CEO Space Forums.
Guest speaker on TV and radio, addressing intellectual property protection topics.
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