Intellectual Property
Overview
Eckert Seamans’ Intellectual Property Group engages in the full spectrum of practice in this specialized area of the law, including United States and foreign patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition law. Many of our attorneys have years of in-house corporate experience.
We help clients with the negotiation, preparation, and enforcement of a wide variety of related agreements including license, assignment, consulting, employment, and nondisclosure and joint venture agreements. When appropriate, the group draws upon the skills and experience of attorneys across a variety of practices at Eckert Seamans, including tax, labor and employment, government affairs, and corporate finance, to develop an integrated strategy for the client’s circumstances.
On the patent side, our attorneys have experience in a broad spectrum of technical subjects, including chemical, electrical, mechanical, medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, computer, and metallurgical arts. On the trademark/copyright side, our attorneys provide general counsel and have substantial experience in financial services and insurance, advertising, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, franchising, retail, publishing, arts, sports, and entertainment law.
Members of the group practice in many forums, including state and federal courts throughout the country, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, foreign intellectual property offices through a well-established network of foreign associates, and the International Trade Commission.
In addition, the firm has a dedicated Intellectual Property Litigation Group.
Representative Matters
- Negotiation, preparation, and enforcement of agreements including licenses, technology transfer, consulting, employment, nondisclosure and joint venture agreements, as well as academic intellectual property policies.
- Patentability evaluations.
- Patent validity and infringement studies.
- Preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign patent applications.
- Trademark and service mark portfolio management, as well as screening.
- E-commerce issues relating to social media, Internet brand protection strategies, online brand disputes, user generated content, online defamation and product disparagement disputes, search engine advertising, website linking, CAN-SPAM, copyright disputes and fair use, false advertising, website policies and privacy, licensing, domain name disputes, and the FTC guidelines on the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
- Preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign trademark and service mark applications.
- Trademark and service mark opposition and cancellation proceedings.
- Protection of copyright rights.
- Unfair competition matters, including advertising issues.
- The protection of trade secret rights, including employment issues.
- Enforcement of and defense against claims of infringement of intellectual property rights.
- Due diligence and evaluation of intellectual property assets in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
- Intellectual property audits.
News & Insights
Publications:
Understanding the Constitutionality of Patent Law
The Argument Against Self-Representation in Patent Cases
The Short and Long Answers on Patent Application
Is Apple V. Samsung The Beginning Of The End For Patents?
Takeaways From Fed Circ. Opinions in Roche V. Apotex
Protecting Your Valuable Brand: The Importance of Trademarks
Online International Trademark Issues: Some Practical Considerations
How to Jump Ahead of the Backlog of Patents Awaiting Examination
Chemical Compounds and Biologics Developing Issues Relevant to Market Exclusivity
Legal Updates:
Intellectual Property Alert: 2017’s Five Top Intellectual Property Issues
Intellectual Property Alert: An Insight Into the Patent Process
Intellectual Property Alert: Patents, trade secrets, and the role of the constitution
Intellectual Property Alert: The Role of the Patent
Media Coverage:
A FOUL OR A FAIR USE: Use or abuse of the NCAA’s March Madness Mark
Richard Peirce discusses Internet privacy laws regarding social media sites such as Snapchat
Robert Morris discusses issues relating to USPTO releasing APIs (IPWatchdog)
News:
Eckert Seamans welcomes Francine F. Li to Philadelphia office and Intellectual Property Group
Eckert Seamans Attorneys and Practices Ranked by Chambers USA 2018
Eckert Seamans posts another win
Eckert Seamans Attorneys and Practices Ranked by Chambers USA 2017
Eckert Seamans announces attorney promotions for 2017
World Trademark Review 1000 recognizes Eckert Seamans' Intellectual Property Group
Eckert Seamans welcomes David B. Gornish to Philadelphia office
Chambers USA 2016 ranks Eckert Seamans lawyers and practices
Eckert Seamans welcomes Kevin W. Fay and Roger LaLonde to Philadelphia office
Eckert Seamans welcomes Christine Ethridge to Pittsburgh office
Eckert Seamans welcomes Ojeiku Aisiku to White Plains office
Roberta Jacobs-Meadway and Evelyn Sahr selected for inclusion in Women in Business Law 2015
Chambers USA 2012 ranks Eckert Seamans lawyers and practices
Eckert Seamans earns top rankings in Chambers USA 2011
Eckert Seamans Announces Practice Leadership Changes
Eckert Seamans welcomes Mark T. Vogelbacker to Philadelphia office
Events
Ethical Issues in Trademark Practice
Eckert Seamans lawyers to present at the PBI's 11th Annual Intellectual Property Law Institute
IP attorneys to lead webinar on the intersection of intellectual property rights
Michael Fein presenting at the Joint Patent Practice Seminar
Christina Frangiosa to participate in the ABA's 32nd Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference
Roberta Jacobs-Meadway to present at 22nd Annual Business Law Institute