We help people acquire patents and trademarks, and we also litigate intellectual property issues.

Patent Law
Patents provide legal protections to keep others from making, importing, or practicing the invention within the United States. A patentee is rewarded for inventing something that is new. In return for disclosing to the public the best way to make and use the invention, the patentee is provided a patent term, typically of 20 years, to profit from their idea.

Trademarks
Registering and protecting your trademark will help to ensure your company’s reputation, as well as your brand’s familiarity. Phrases, marks, sounds or symbols that others might copy should be considered for registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to prevent others from profiting from your brand’s goodwill and associated quality.

A patent provides the legal rights to make, use, sell, or import a new invention within the United States. There are also patent rights in foreign countries. Acquiring a patent is done through a process called “patent prosecution” before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. If foreign patent protection is sought, the invention/patent application must be “prosecuted” through each individually desired country. Because the United States is the world’s largest economy, many inventors and corporations seek patent prosecution here.

Trademarks

Acquiring a trademark is called “trademark prosecution.” A trademark is any unique identifier that allows consumers to identify your product or service, or to associate your product or service with a particular level of quality or uniqueness.

Patent Infringement / Trademark Infringement and Opinions

We offer evaluations and opinions as to whether or not a competing device or service is illegally infringing on your company’s intellectual property, whether that be a patent or trademark, your good will and/or your “know-how.” More than just offering written advice, however, we back up our transactional work with experienced litigators who spend their days in the courtroom instead of in front of computer screens in a law office.

Patent Avoidance – Design Around
A skilled patent attorney can assist clients by “designing around” an existing patent. This is also called patent avoidance, in which a party is aware of an existing patent and wants to minimize their risk in selling, making, or using a similar product or process.

Infringement Analysis and Opinion Letters
If you have been accused of infringement or are concerned about having your product or process infringed upon, talk to us first. We use our experience to analyze the issue to offer our opinion, sometimes memorialized in a written letter called an opinion letter, regarding possible patent infringement. We offer patent opinions for clients on either side of the infringement issue.

Patent Law Is Among the Most Complex Areas of Litigation and the Law
Patent infringement is one of the most complex areas of the law. There are specific remedies that can be pursued and very specific laws that protect patent holders and patent applicants. If you are considering filing for a patent, or are concerned that another party may be infringing upon your patent rights speak with either or both patent attorneys.