Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (IP) is a highly specialized area of law. Our attorneys are well versed in both the legal and technical aspects of IP. Those technical areas cover a wide range of engineering, scientific, computer and medical principles as well as business methods.

We counsel clients on all aspects of IP including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. We are committed to helping our clients throughout the IP process from application for protection to enforcement of rights to defense of infringement claims.

Services and Specialties

• Defining and valuing your IP
• IP portfolio audits
• IP protection recommendations
• IP opinions for different purposes, e.g. patent non-infringement, patent invalidity, etc.
• IP portion “due diligence” for business acquisition or transfer
• IP sales or assignments

IP and Technology-Based Agreements

Work with our business lawyers to protect IP in joint venture and other commercial agreements. Draft, review and negotiate technology-based agreements and other agreements that include some aspect of IP or technology including:

• Website development agreements
• Website hosting agreements
• Software development agreements
• Software maintenance agreements
• Revenue sharing agreements
• Licensing agreements

Patents

• Explanation of the requirements for patentability and possible alternatives
• Patent searches
• Preparation and prosecution of patent applications
• Docketing and maintaining the patent for its lifetime
• Asserting and defending patent rights in litigation and administrative proceedings

Trademarks

• Evaluation of the mark, determination of current usage and recommendations for further usage
• Trademark searches
• Preparation and prosecution of trademark registration applications
• Docketing the registered mark for maintenance and renewal
• Asserting and defending trademark rights in litigation and administration proceedings
• Challenging domain names that use client marks

Copyrights

• Review and determination of whether the work is protectable
• Preparation and prosecution of copyright registration applications
• Asserting and defending trademark rights in litigation and administrative proceedings
• Challenging domain names that use client marks

Trade Secrets

• Identification of trade secrets
• Recommendation as to steps to be taken to preserve trade secret protection
• Preparation of third-party and employee agreements to protect trade secrets
• Assert and defend trade secrets in litigation

Litigation

• Preparation and response to notices of infringement or cease and desist letters
• Enforcement of IP assets
• Defense against claims of infringement or misappropriation
• In the case of alleged patent infringement, preparation and prosecution of requests for patent re-examination
• In the case of trademarks, pursuing or defending opposition and cancellation proceedings