Patent Prosecution & Protection
Stites & Harbison's Intellectual Property and Technology (IPT) Group includes more than 20 attorneys, many of whom are Registered U.S. Patent Attorneys. We counsel clients on matters relating to domestic and international intellectual property issues, and assist them in securing domestic and international patent rights. From our Alexandria, Va. office location, our patent attorneys can easily visit the United States Patent & Trademark Office and advocate in person for our client's inventions.
Our clients include independent inventors, Internet and biotech start-ups, established brick-and-mortar businesses and universities.
Our patent attorneys have prosecuted patent applications covering a wide range of technologies, from simple mechanical devices to complex software packages, biotechnological inventions, and business methods.
The IPT Group not only prosecutes patent applications; we also assist clients in protecting existing patent rights, and in developing and implementing intellectual property protection plans. Our attorneys regularly issue validity, infringement, right-to-use, and patentability opinions. They also negotiate licenses and technology transfer agreements, and manage and conduct litigation to protect and enforce the patent rights.
Stites & Harbison is one of the Top Patent Firms in the nation named by Intellectual Property Today (March 2015 issue) with respect to the number of utility patents issued in 2014.
No matter the office . . . I can expect to receive the same outstanding service and excellent work product from Stites & Harbison. They have personable attorneys and staff with a broad range of subject matter expertise.
Looking Through the Leadership Lens: Trademark Office Leadership in an Evolving Landscape
INTA recently premiered its first webcast in its “Looking Through the Leadership Lens” series, which features industry officials providing unique perspectives on leadership and development topics. INTA News article by Mari-Elise Paul.
International Women’s Day: ‘choosing to challenge’ and the fight for gender equality
Leading female attorneys share their thoughts with WIPR about what the campaign theme means to them, the issues affecting women in IP and their efforts to tackle them. Louisville office IP attorney Mari-Elise Paul is included in this article.
Is Peloton Spinning Its Wheels? Peloton Petitions to Cancel “SPINNING” Registrations
Peloton Interactive, Inc. cranked up the resistance against Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc.’s tactics of aggressively enforcing its registrations of SPIN and SPINNING. Pressing down on the red button, so-to-speak, Peloton filed petitions to cancel Mad Dogg’s registrations of SPINNING, SPIN, and SPIN PILATES on the ground that “SPINNING” and “SPIN” are generic.
Aspects of the Trademark Modernization Act: Letters of Protest
On December 27, 2020, the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act introduces a number of changes to trademark law that may be of interest to brand owners. This post will examine just one, and future posts will examine others.
Stites & Harbison Welcomes Abigail Clark
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC welcomes attorney Abigail E. Clark to the firm’s Louisville, Ky., office.
Tech Transfer: Methods That Work, IIPCC Fall IP Experts Panel Series
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Join Mandy Wilson Decker in the third of this four-session webinar. Mandy will join a panel discussing tech transfer on October 6, 2020.
Protecting Your Business’s Intellectual Property
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
WEBINAR
Intellectual Property attorney Nick Stewart leads an in-depth discussion on protecting your IP and business's assets through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets in this online event on September 24, 2020.
Managing IP Selects Mandy Wilson Decker to 2020 “Top 250 Women in IP” List
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Managing Intellectual Property magazine recently selected Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker to the 2020 edition of Managing Intellectual Property’s “Top 250 Women in IP.” This is the sixth time Decker has been honored on this list, and she is the only attorney honored from Kentucky.
Kentucky Engineering Law
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WEBINAR
Intellectual Property attorney Nick Stewart will present at this Webinar for Kentucky Engineering Law on August 31, 2020.
Supreme Court Rules That Generic Terms + .com May Be Capable of Federal Trademark Registration
On June 30, 2020, the Supreme Court decided United States Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com B.V., Case No. 19-46, 589 U.S. ____ (June 30, 2020) held, with only one dissent, that it is possible for a domain name comprised of a generic term appended by “.com” to qualify for federal trademark registration.
Lucky Brand Gets Lucky Before the Supreme Court
On Wednesday, May 14, 2020, the United States Supreme Court unanimously held that the doctrine of defense preclusion does not apply in a case between two parties when the earlier case between the parties involved different marks and different conduct occurring at different times.
Fed. Circ. Won't Revive Solenis Paper-Making Patent
Law360 (May 26, 2020, 9:34 PM EDT) -- The Federal Circuit on Tuesday upheld a Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision that struck down a Solenis Technologies LP paper-making patent for being obvious, finding that the board properly analyzed the claims and backed its conclusions with "substantial evidence."
Managing IP Honors Stites & Harbison Attorneys on “IP Stars” 2020 List
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Managing Intellectual Property magazine has named seven Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys to the 2020 “IP Stars” list. The publication recognizes the most highly regarded intellectual property attorneys in the U.S.
Chambers USA 2020 Honors 19 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 19 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2020 guide.
Supreme Court Rules Proof of Willfulness Not a Precondition to Profits in Trademark Infringement Actions
On April 23, 2020, the United States Supreme Court resolved a circuit split and held that plaintiffs in Lanham Act trademark infringement cases do not need to show the defendant infringed willfully in order to recover the defendant’s profits.
Spring Cleaning for Your Intellectual Property
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
WEBINAR
Attorneys John Scruton and Nick Stewart will discuss suggestions on how to make your business's IP portfolio even better in 2020.