Intellectual and Patent Law
Patents
We counsel clients in every aspect of patent law, including:
- preparation and prosecution of US and non-US patent applications
- Complex patent law prosecution matters, such as interferences, reexaminations and reissues
- Rendering opinions on patentability, infringement and validity of patents
- Due diligence
- Licensing and other transactional work
Patent Preparation and Prosecution
Our registered patent attorneys and patent agent are engineers with nearly 100 years of combined patent prosecution experience, as well as technical experience in a broad range of areas, including:
Electronics
Software/firmware
Controls
Communications
DSPs
Semiconductors
E-commerce
Compressor technology
Hydrostatic transmissions
Power tools
Medical devices
Vapor recovery systems
Opinions and Product Clearance
Our registered patent attorneys and patent agent examine products, both existing and in the design phase, to identify potential IP-related concerns. Our opinions are prepared to assist clients with decisions related to product design, release and marketing. We are committed to preparing our clients to design and market their products while avoiding future IP disputes.
Trademarks
We assist with the selection and registration of trademarks, service marks and trade names. Our IP attorneys are experienced in the following areas related to trademark rights:
Analyzing results of mark and name searches
Filing and prosecuting federal, state and foreign applications for trademark and service mark registration
Monitoring and policing adverse use or registration
We represent clients in:
- Opposition and cancellation proceedings
- Administrative and judicial appeals of adverse decisions
- Transfers of ownership in trademarks
- Acquisition of trademark rights
- Negotiation of license agreements
While the Internet and electronic communication has facilitated trademark searches, the potential for trademark infringement remains an issue faced by small and medium-sized businesses. We conduct domestic and international trademark searches to prevent infringement and problems related to similarity of design.
In situations where a company already has a registered trademark, conducting a search may protect a logo or design from the unintentional appropriation by others of elements similar in nature. When infringement is evident, we have the resources to take immediate and appropriate action to protect our clients’ rights.
Copyright and Domain Names
Copyright ownership
Notice
Registration
Transfer and licensing
Fair use of copyrighted material
Trade Secrets And Trade Dress
Litigation
Transactions – Mergers & Acquisitions, Licensing, IP Audit and Due Diligence Review
An important component in mergers and acquisitions is the due diligence review of a company’s intellectual property portfolio. We conduct thorough reviews of a potential acquisition’s patents, trademarks, copyrights, litigation, licensing agreements, employee agreements and other business conduct which can affect asset value and purchase price. Our experienced IP attorneys conduct audits of IP assets for a wide range of business purposes, including strategic planning, and handle transactional matters, including:
Asset transfers
Due diligence
Licensing
Intellectual Property Team

Kevin T. Duncan
Team Lead
