In today’s rapidly changing market, you need an intellectual property team that will enhance and safeguard your competitive position.
Michael Best’s nationally recognized IP practice offers three key advantages: we know your business; we understand your technology; and we have the advocacy skills to help you develop, manage, and protect your intellectual assets.
With more than 150 lawyers and IP professionals — including more than 25 patent engineers, scientists, and registered agents, as well as 30 administrators — our IP group provides the full range of legal services related to all aspects of IP. Our professionals practice on the national and global stages in trademark, patent, and copyright law, including prosecution, portfolio management, enforcement, clearance, defense, and litigation.
Many of our lawyers have advanced degrees and business experience in areas like computer science, engineering, physics, chemistry, and biotechnology. A significant number have served as examiners in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), giving us a valuable perspective on patent and trademark issues.
Our Approach
When approaching a new matter, we start by familiarizing ourselves with your short- and long-term business goals. What are you hoping to achieve by licensing or protecting this IP asset? Is the project global or limited to a particular territory? What are your financial expectations and budgetary constraints? How does it fit into the overall portfolio strategy?
Armed with this knowledge, we create and implement programs designed to increase the value of your intellectual assets while minimizing downside risk. Cutting-edge research, imaging, docketing, communication, and litigation support systems enhance the impact of our work in this area. Our approach is balanced but aggressive, and it has produced an exceptional record of success.
Service Areas
Our Intellectual Property practice group offers a complete range of services and guidance, including:
Patent
Helping clients strategically manage their patent portfolios, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications; analyzing patentability, invalidity, and infringement issues; advising on the design and development of new technologies and products; dispute resolution; and negotiating patent licensing and technology transfer agreements.
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Trademark
Assisting with the full range of trademark matters, including trademark counseling and prosecution, advertisement and promotions, domain names and Internet issues, and trademark enforcement and litigation.
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Copyright
Counseling on copyright registration and protection strategies; use of third-party copyrighted works; acquisition, disposition, and licensing of copyrighted works; and litigation.
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Enforcement, Clearance & Defense
Representing clients in patent, trademark, trade dress, copyright, trade secret, Internet, and false advertising cases in federal and appellate courts, and before agencies such as the PTO and its Appeal Boards.
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Post-Grant
Navigating clients through inter partes review (IPR), covered business method review (CBM), and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings.
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Licensing & Technology Agreements
Helping clients capitalize on crucial technology and IP assets through licensing, joint development, and other strategic alliances in fields such as: Software & Information Technology; Patents & Technology; Trademarks; and Life Sciences.
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Best LuminEdge
Analyzing a company’s IP assets to reveal the true value – and provide essential intelligence about the competitive landscape. Our proprietary system goes beyond basic IP due diligence, combining patented data analytics tools with the depth of our top-ranked professional team. We help companies see the big picture and provide action-oriented advice. Whether you’re evaluating a potential investment target, doing strategic planning, or looking to better manage your IP portfolio, Best LuminEdge can help.
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Privacy & Cybersecurity
Advising clients on all aspects of privacy and cybersecurity, from reviewing contract provisions to creating companywide privacy policies and evaluating regulatory compliance; defending government or civil actions involving a wide range of regulatory schemes; and counseling on privacy or data breach incidents.
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Higher Education
Providing comprehensive service to higher education clients, including strategic IP advice on academic research as a funding source, determining which innovations to focus on, obtaining patent protection, commercializing inventions and advancements, technology licensing, patent litigation, and portfolio management.
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