Capabilities

Intellectual Property & Technology

As a full-service group whose practice spans the globe, Stites & Harbison’s Intellectual Property and Technology (IPT) Group counsels and represents both domestic and international clients across the full range of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and licensing.

All businesses have intrinsic value in the creativity, invention, and innovation that makes them unique. In order to reach full commercial potential, however, an idea, product, or service must be properly protected. What distinguishes Stites & Harbison is our commitment to fully understanding not only our clients’ intellectual property but also their business and the markets in which they compete. This allows us to provide the greatest return on our clients’ intellectual property assets.

Our attorneys provide effective and efficient counsel from the creation and registration of intellectual property assets through the management and enforcement of intellectual property rights both in the United States as well as internationally.

Members of the IPT group possess technical experience and hold advanced degrees across a wide variety of fields including engineering, biology and life sciences, chemistry, and computer science. Through our office in Alexandria, VA, our attorneys can easily visit the United States Patent & Trademark Office to advocate for our clients in person.

Transactional Services

In addition to securing patents, trademarks, and copyrights at the state, national, or international level, Stites & Harbison’s IPT Group also assists in developing and implementing intellectual property protection plans which are tailored for each client, whether an independent inventor, start-up, well-established business, or university. We work to maximize the value of our clients’ intellectual property through licensing agreements, sponsorship agreements, and other relationships with third parties. We draft and negotiate the appropriate terms related to the intellectual property, whether they are central to or incidental to a larger transaction. When needed, we also issue validity, infringement, and right-to-use opinions regarding our clients’ or a third-party’s intellectual property.

Litigation Services

Stites & Harbison’s IPT Group has extensive experience litigating intellectual property matters before federal and state courts throughout the nation. This experience also extends to all levels of appeals, including the United States Supreme Court. Our firm's litigators aggressively protect the intellectual property assets of our clients, and defend those who have been wrongfully accused of infringing others’ intellectual property rights. The firm has handled a number of significant and well-known intellectual property disputes and has served as lead counsel in intellectual property litigation in more than 30 states. Examples of our IPT group’s work can be found here.

Intellectual Property & Technology Specialty Areas
Main Contact
What others are saying about us

Stites & Harbison have given us timely and insightful advice on a range of litigation/IP matters in the USA in recent years.

This comment was collected as part of the U.S. News — Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process. (2018-19)

I have worked with a number of patent law firms in the past, and ... Stites & Harbison far exceed any other firm in their responsiveness, knowledge of the pharmaceutical / biotechnology field, flexibility and commitment. They work closely with you to make sure the applications are accurate, strong and well presented. In addition, they not only manage the entire process, but provide strategic input and are impeccable in their follow-up. They have a global network, and draw upon resources as required to address the needs of their clients.

U.S. News & World Report / Best Lawyers - "Best Law Firms" Client Interviews 2017

Stites & Harbison has displayed an in-depth knowledge of patent law and has been very helpful in navigating us through the process.

Chambers USA 2017
See more related to Intellectual Property & Technology
Press Releases

Delta State University Inducts Richard Myers into Alumni Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Delta State University’s Alumni Association recently inducted Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Richard S. Myers, Jr., into the university’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC November 28, 2023
Client Alerts

President Issues Landmark Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence and Directives for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

On October 30, 2023, President Joe Biden issued a landmark executive order (the Order) directed to promoting use and managing risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The order recognizes the vast potential of AI and directs sweeping actions to protect against the risks of AI. Attorney John Teresinski takes at look at the order in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.

by John P. Teresinski November 22, 2023
Client Alerts

Kentucky Now Allows Persons Age 70 and Over To Opt Out of Jury Service

In March 2023, Kentucky enacted KRS 29A.080, a new law that allows persons 70 and older to voluntarily opt out of jury service. Attorneys Ashley Ward and Kyle Schroader take a look at that new law in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.

by Ashley W. Ward and Kyle S. Schroader November 20, 2023
Client Alerts

The Evolution of "Hybrid": Post-COVID Collaborative Working

Stephen Weyer takes a look at what the word "hybrid" means in today's world in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.

by Stephen J. Weyer November 03, 2023
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison Earns 88 Rankings in 2024 Best Law Firms®

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC has been ranked in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm’s National Tier 1 rankings include: Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate, and Trademark Law.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC November 02, 2023
Client Alerts

What 70% of Americans Don’t Understand About Intellectual Property

Mandy Decker takes a look at the different types of intellectual property in this Stites & Harbison Client Alert.

by Mandy Wilson Decker October 26, 2023
Events

Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) 2023 Manufacturers Summit

Date: 11/1/23 - 11/3/23

Knicely Conference Center, 2355 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

IP attorney Mandy Decker will be a speaker at this year's 2023 KAM Manufacturers Summit in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Nov. 1-3, 2023.

Mandy Wilson Decker October 26, 2023
Press Releases

Managing IP Honors James Hayne and Nick Stewart on 2023 "Rising Stars" List

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) magazine has named Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys James Hayne and Nick Stewart to its 2023 “Rising Stars” list.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC October 10, 2023
Client Alerts

The Supreme Court Helps Copyright Owners by Limiting Fair Use in Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith

In May, the Supreme Court issued a narrow decision on the issue of fair use in copyright infringement cases. The case, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith, strengthened the position of potential plaintiffs – a little.

by John W. Scruton and Mari-Elise Paul October 04, 2023
Client Alerts

Beat the Heat with These Five Patented Ideas

Patent attorney James Hayne take a look at five patents to help beat the heat!

by James Hayne September 21, 2023
Events

Stites & Harbison Signature Event

Date: 10/11/23
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, 430 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507

Join Stites & Harbison for this Signature Event in Lexington for a special evening at Rupp Arena.

Stites & Harbison, PLLC September 15, 2023
Press Releases

Corporate Counsel Recognizes Marjorie A. Farris with 2023 Women, Influence & Power in Law Award – Managing Partner of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Corporate Counsel has honored Stites & Harbison, PLLC Chair Marjorie A. Farris as a “Managing Partner of the Year” in its 2023 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards. She is one of six women honored in this category across the country.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 31, 2023
Press Releases

Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 24, 2023
Press Releases

Mandy Wilson Decker Elected Chair-Elect of New KBA Intellectual Property Law Section

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker was elected as 2023-24 Chair-Elect of the newly-formed Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) Intellectual Property (IP) Law Section.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 15, 2023
Press Releases

KYIPA Elects Mandy Wilson Decker Chair of Board of Advisors

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance (KYIPA) elects Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker as inaugural Chair of its Board of Advisors. She has served on the group’s Executive Advisory Committee since 2021.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC August 15, 2023
Events

“To Text or Not to Text…” Challenges to Defending Employment Matters Involving Text Messages

Date: 8/21/23
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.

WEBINAR

Employment attorney Shannon Hamilton challenges an employer may face when defending an employment matter that involves text messaging as evidence along with other matters in this myLawCLE webinar.

Shannon Antle Hamilton July 26, 2023
Press Releases

Managing IP Selects Mandy Wilson Decker to 2023 “Top 250 Women in IP” List for Ninth Time

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) magazine recently selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker to the 2023 edition of Managing IP’s “Top 250 Women in IP.” This is the ninth time Decker has been honored on this list, and she is the only attorney honored from Kentucky.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 26, 2023
Press Releases

Managing IP Honors Stites & Harbison Attorneys on "IP Stars" 2023 list

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) magazine has named nine Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys to the 2023 “IP Stars” list. Managing IP recognizes the most highly regarded intellectual property attorneys in the U.S.

by Stites & Harbison, PLLC July 25, 2023
Client Alerts

Reevaluating Your Company’s Compliance Program

The United States Department of Justice’s Criminal Division (“Division”) announced a new program—called the Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Pilot Program (“program”)—that will shift the burden of corporate financial penalties away from shareholders and onto culpable corporate employees.

by Michael Denbow, Brian Butler, and Rachel Gumbel, 2023 Summer Associate July 20, 2023
Client Alerts

Supreme Court: Employers Must Accommodate Employees’ Religious Practices Absent “Substantial” Increased Costs in Relation to the Conduct of the Business

Employment attorneys Robin McGuffin and Kyle Schroader take a look at the Supreme Court's decision on Title VII stating that employers must accommodate employee's religious practices.

by Robin E. McGuffin and Kyle S. Schroader July 05, 2023