CONFIDENTIAL FREE INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATIONS

EXPERIENCED IP TRIAL LAWYER

FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS

U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

ICANN/UDRP DOMAIN NAME ARBITRATIONS

Unparalleled success in commercial, intellectual property, and infringement litigation, including being lead counsel in over one hundred lawsuits in Chicago, Michigan, Arizona, and worldwide for and against various Fortune 100 companies. Although the majority of disputes are settled prior to suit being filed, I aggressively protect and defend clients' interests throughout settlement negotiations, litigation and trial, if necessary.

The following is a brief summary of some of the intellectual property lawsuits handled throughout the country by me, including cases involving some of the world's most valuable and well-known patents, trademarks, service marks and websites.

FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS

FAMA TECHNOLOGY, INC. v. NASA MACHINE TOOLS, INC. (18-CV-688 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright ownership). Local counsel for Defendant NASA MACHINE TOOLS, INC., in a virtually mirror-image action of an earlier-filed case in New Jersey State Court alleging the following causes of action: (i) breach of contract; (ii) tortious interference with an existing contract; (iii) tortious interference with a prospective economic relationship; (iv) unfair trade practices; (v) misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information; (vi) misappropriation of trade secrets; (vii) fraudulent misrepresentation; (viii) unjust enrichment; and (ix) punitive damages. Motion to Stay granted.

DAVID SEIDE and DEFINED SPACE, INC. v. LEVEL-(1) GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, STEADFAST NETWORKS LLC, ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS, INC. and NOZONE, INC. (16-CV-2975 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement and breach of contract). Representing Defendant ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS, INC. in an action alleging: copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 501, et seq., violation ofthe Digital Millenium Copyright Act, and breach of contract, seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, interest and costs. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

LIQUITECH, INC. v. ENRICH PRODUCTS, INC. (15-CV-10537 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement and unfair competition - Google AdWords - Dynamic Keyword Insertion). Representing Defendant ENRICH PRODUCTS, INC in an action alleging: infringement of federally registered trademark in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1114(1); unfair competition arising out of the use of false designations of origin and false and misleading descriptions and representations in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1125(a); for statutory deceptive trade practices in violation of 815 ILCS 510/1 et seq.; for statutory consumer fraud and decpetive business practices in violation of 815 ILCS 505/1; and for unfair competition in violaiton of the common law of the State of Illinois, seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, interest and costs. Also representing ENRICH PRODUCTS, INC. for counter-claims alleging false and misleading descriptions and representations in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1125(a); for statutory deceptive trade practices in violation of 815 ILCS 510/1 et seq.; for statutory consumer fraud and decpetive business practices in violation of 815 ILCS 505/1; and for unfair competition in violaiton of the common law of the State of Illinois, seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, interest and costs. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

RAM INTERNATIONAL I, L.L.C. and SCHAUMBURG 95, L.L.C. v. THE STADIUM LLC and SALI ZECIRI (15-CV-10434 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/service mark infringement and unfair competition - restaurant). Representing Defendants SCHAUMBURG 95, L.L.C.v. THE STADIUM LLC in an action alleging infringement of Illinois state and federally registered trademarks and and unfair competition under § 43(a)&(c) of the Lanham Act, common law trademark/service mark infringement, and deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorneys' fees, interest, and costs. Obtained confidential settlement.

AMERICAN BEVERAGE CORPORATION v. FLORIDA FRUIT JUICES, INC. (15 C 1018 - U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania)(trade dress infringement, trade dress dilution and unfair competition - beverage products and packaging). Representing Defendant FLORIDA FRUIT JUICES, INC. in an action alleging infringement of federally registered trade dress, trade dress infringement, dilution, false advertising and and unfair competition under § 43(a)&(c) of the Lanham Act, state and common law trade dress dilution, unfair competition and passing off, seeking an accounting, damages, profits, attorneys' fees, restitution, punitive damages, interest, and costs. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

PARIS PRESENTS INCORPORATED v. RUCCI, INC. and TJX COMPANIES, INC. d/b/a TJ MAXX (14 C 1962 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement, trade dress infringement, trade dress dilution and unfair competition - cosmetic brush line). Representing Defendants RUCCI, INC. and TJX COMPANIES, INC. d/b/a TJ MAXX in an action alleging infringement of federally regsitered trade dress, trade dress infirngment, dilution, false advertising and and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, state and common law trade dress dilution and passing off under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and copyright infringement, seeking an accounting, damages, profits, attorneys' fees, impoundment, and injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement.

AIRCRAFT GEAR CORPORATION v. TRAIL GEAR, INC. (14 C 50069 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(declaratory judgment, trademark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition - LONGFIELD brand). Representing Defendant in an action seeking declaratory judgment and alleging trademark infringement, false advertising and and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and state and common law unfair competition and deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking declaratory relief, an accounting, damages, profits, attorneys' fees, and injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement..

TIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT MFG. CO. v. GAITHER TOOL CO. (13 CV 2996 - U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota)(alleged infringement of patent). Representing Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff in an action alleging infringement of U.S. utility patent and counter-claims for declaratory judgments of invalidity and noninfringement and for false patent marking. Obtained settlement.

COACH, INC. and COACH SERVICES, INC. v. J & H TOP SPORTSWEAR, INC., JUNHO YANG, and Unknown Defendants 1-10 (JOHN DOES) (13-cv-736 - U.S. Dist. Court, Western District of Michigan)(Coach trademarks, trade dress and copyrights). Representing Defendants in an action alleging counterfeiting, trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, trademark dilution, false designation of origin and false advertising under the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1116, 1117, 1125(a) and (c)); copyright infringement under the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 501 et seq.); unfair business practices under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (Mich. Comp. Laws § 445.903); and unfair competition and unjust enrichment under the common law of Michigan. Defense assumed by insurance carrier and reassigned to panel counsel.

SLEP-TONE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION v. KARAOKE YOU, INC. and DENNIS BURDA (13 C 4355 - U.S. Dist. Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement - SOUND CHOICE trademark and trade dress). Representing Defendants in an action for alleged federal trademark and trade dress infringement and unfair competition involving claims arising under the Trademark Act of the United States commonly known as the Lanham Act 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

GOODEJUICE LLC, d/b/a Goodejuice and goodejuice.com v. TEAM SAM, LLC, d/b/a Wicked Good eJuice and wickedgoodejuice.com, and SAMUEL J. PANICE III (13 C 4948 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark and domain name infringement, cybersquatting, false advertising, unfair competition, and fraud/identity fraud/identity theft/credit card hijacking - GOODEJUICE and WICKERGOODEJUICE). Representing Plaintiff in an action for infringement of federally registered service mark under the Lanham Act, unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, service mark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (cybersquatting), consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and fraud/identity fraud/identity theft/credit card hijacking, seeking an accounting, damages attorneys' fees, transfer of a domain name, and injunctive relief. Resolved and dismissed and domain name transferred to Plaintiff.

MIDLAND DISTRIBUTION GROUP, INC. v. CEDAR GARDEN FOOD IMPORT & EXPORT, INC. (12 CV 9742 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement ? BALANDA (Design mark)). Represented Defendant in an action for alleged federal trademark infringement, unfair competition involving claims arising under the Trademark Act of the United States commonly known as the Lanham Act 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq.; and for common law trademark infringement, injury to business reputation, deceptive trade practices, deceptive business practices and unfair competition under the laws of the State of Illinois, involving claims arising under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act 815 505/2 et seq., and 510/2 et. Seq., and the common law. Defense assumed by insurance carrier and reassigned to panel counsel.

ALLIANCE LABS, L.L.C. v. STRATUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. and SONAR PRODUCTS, INC. (12 CV 927 - U.S. District Court, District of Arizona)(false advertising and unfair competition - Enemeez, Enemeez Plus and Docusol - Vacuant and Vacuant Plus). Representing Defendant Stratus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in an action alleging false advertising and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (§ 32 of the Lanham Act); trademark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Arizona; copyright infringement; and unjust enrichment. Also representing Stratus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for counter-claims alleging false advertising and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (§ 32 of the Lanham Act); and unfair competition and unjust enrichment under the common law of the State of Arizona. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

CINCINNATI INSURANCE COMPANY v. GOLDEN HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC. and MARY FAITH HUNT (13 CV 3019 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Represented insureds in action regarding insurance coverage for NATURAL WELLNESS CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. v. GOLDEN HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC. (12 CV 5586 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of California)(see below). Obtained settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

NATURAL WELLNESS CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. v. GOLDEN HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC. (12 CV 5586 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of California)(trademark infringment, unfair competition and dilution - PRO-BIOTICS PLUS). Representing Defendants in an action alleging infringement of a federally registered trademark under 15 U.S.C. §1114, et seq., violations of California state law of unfair competition under Cal. Bus. & Prof Code §17200 et seq., and dilution of trademarks under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), seeking an accounting; damages; costs; attorneys? fees; and injunctive relief. Obtained settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

GAITHER TOOL COMPANY v. SUMMIT TOOL COMPANY d/b/a KEN-TOOL (01 CV 4096 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement and dilution ? BEAD KEEPER mark). Represented Plaintiff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, trademark infringement and unfair competition under Illinois law, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking an accounting, damages, costs and attorneys' fees and preliminary injunctive relief. Obtained settlement and permanent injunctive relief in 2001. Motion for an Order to Show Cause Why Defendant, Summit Tool Company, Should Not be Held in Contempt, and to Enforce the Consent Judgment filed in 2012. 2012 Motion for Contempt granted and client awarded attorneys' fees and costs, plus an accounting of defendant's profits generated from violation of the Consent Judgment.

GAITHER TOOL COMPANY v. SUMMIT TOOL COMPANY, d/b/a KEN TOOL (12 CV 5764 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(Rubberhead BEADKEEPER tire changing tool trade dress). Representing Plaintiff in an action for false advertising and unfair competition under the laws of the United States, as provided for by Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); trade dress infringement and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 505/1, et seq.; deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq.; seeking an accounting; damages; costs; profits; attorneys? fees; and injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement.

ALLIANCE LABS, L.L.C. v. STRATUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. and SONAR PRODUCTS, INC. (12 CV 927 - U.S. District Court, District of Arizona)(false advertising and unfair competition - Enemeez, Enemeez Plus and Docusol - Vacuant and Vacuant Plus). Representing Defendant Sonar Products, Inc. in an action alleging false advertising and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (§ 32 of the Lanham Act); trademark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Arizona; copyright infringement; and unjust enrichment. Obtained early dismissal based on Motion to Dismiss.

DEPARTMENT 28, INC. v. SAZERAC COMPANY, INC. (12 CV 1828 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(alleged trademark infringement -TRAVELLER vodka). Representing Plaintiff in an action seeking declaratory relief relating to allegations of trademark infringement. Obtained confidential settlement.

ADDICTION & DETOXIFICATION INSTITUTE, LLC, v. RAPID DRUG DETOX CENTER (11 CV 7992 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(patent infringement)(detoxification process)(local counsel). Represented Defendant in an action alleging patent infringement. Also represented Defendant in counterclaims seeking, inter alia, declaratory judgment of invalidity and non-infringement of the patents-in-suit. Obtained transfer to the Eastern District of Michigan.

WINDERMERE HOLDINGS, LLC v. YOUR ART CREATIONS, ANGLEA GREY, RONALD KIRKWOOD, and DOES 1 through 10 (11 CV 2298 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(copyright infringement, trademark/service mark infringement, dilution and unfair competition - THOMAS KINCADE artwork). Representing Defendants in an action alleging copyright infringement, federal trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); false designation of origin under Title 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); federal trademark dilution under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c); common law Illinois trademark infringement; dilution under the common law and 765 ILCS § 1036/65; unfair competition under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act 815 ILCS 505/1, et seq.; deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq.; and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; seeking injunctive relief, destruction of materials, compensatory damages, accounting of profits, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained settlement.

INFINITI GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. V. ELK LIGHTING, INC., d/b/a STERLING INDUSTRIES (11 CV 7735 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark mark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition - STERLING & NOBLE). Representing Plaintiff in an action alleging federal trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (registered mark) & 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); false advertising and common law trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act, unfair competition under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act 815 ILCS 505/1, et seq.; deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq.; and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; seeking injunctive relief, compensatory damages, accounting of profits, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained confidential settlement and entry of Consent Decree and Order.

TRT TRANSPORTATION, INC., D/B/A/ CHICAGO TROLLEY CO. v. CHICAGO TROLLEY RENTALS, INC. and YILDIRIM B. AKSOY (11 CV 3696 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/service mark infringement, dilution and unfair competition - CHICAGO TROLLEY). Represented Defendants in an action alleging federal trademark infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (registered mark) & 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); common law trademark infringement and trade dress infringement under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act, cybersquatting under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1)(A); Illinois trademark dilution under 765 ILCS § 1036/65; unfair competition under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act 815 ILCS 505/1, et seq.; deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq.; unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; passing off under the common law of the State of Illinois; and unjust enrichment under the common law of the State of Illinois; seeking transfer of a domain name registration, injunctive relief, destruction of materials, compensatory damages, accounting of profits, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained settlement.

EXPERIAN INFORMATION SOLUTIONS, INC. v. AUTOCHEX, LLC and PHILIP MANNING (11 CV 5020 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/service mark infringement, dilution and unfair competition - AUTOCHEX). Represented Defendant in an action alleging federal trademark infringement, federal unfair competition and false designation of origin under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (registered mark) & 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); federal trademark dilution under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c), cybersquatting under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1)(A), Illinois state trademark infringement under 765 ILCS § 1036/60, Illinois trademark dilution under 765 ILCS § 1036/65, unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; and deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq., seeking transfer of a domain name registration, injunctive relief, destruction of materials, compensatory damages, accounting of profits, corrective advertising, exemplary damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained settlement and dismissal from lawsuit with prejudice.

MCGIP, INC. v. DOES 1-24 (11-2985 U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement - BitTorrent). Represented John Doe in settlement negotiations relating to subpoena issued to Comcast ISP in a copyright infringement case involving movies and BitTorrent peer-to-peer (P2P) communications protocol file sharing. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal from lawsuit with prejudice.

SELECTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY OF SOUTH CAROLINA v. B & K TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC., BARBARA J. EHRESMAN, KENNETH D. EHRESMAN, and MICROSOFT CORPORATION (11MR56 Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Livingston County, Illinois)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Representing insured in action regarding insurance coverage for MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. B&K TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC., a/k/a ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY REFURBISHING a/k/a ATR, BARBARA J. EHRESMAN and KENNETH D. EHRESMAN (10 CV 1413 ? U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(see below). Settled.

ONLY ALL SPORTS AND GOLF GIFTS, CORPORATION d/b/a ONLY GOLF APPAREL v. THE GOLF WAREHOUSE, INC. and REDCATS USA, INC. (11 CV 4232 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(company name, domain name and service mark infringement ? ONLY GOLF APPAREL and ONLYGOLFAPPAREL.COM marks). Representing Plaintiff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), service mark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, damages, costs and attorneys' fees. Obtained confidential settlement.

HEARTBREAKER PRODUCTIONS, INC. v. DOES 1-71 (11-2860 U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement - BitTorrent). Represented John Doe in settlement negotiations relating to subpoena issued to Comcast ISP in a copyright infringement case involving movies and BitTorrent peer-to-peer (P2P) communications protocol file sharing. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal from lawsuit with prejudice.

AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY v. CHICAGO COMPUTER CLUB, CORP., XIADONG WANG a/k/a DANIEL WANG, and MICROSOFT CORPORATION (11CH14304 Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Representing insured in action regarding insurance coverage for MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. CHICAGO COMPUTER CLUB and XIADONG WANG a/k/a DANIEL WANG (10 CV 7713 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(see below). Obtained settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

HARD DRIVE PRODUCTIONS, INC. v. DOES 1-1000 (10-5606 U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement - BitTorrent). Represented John Doe in an attempt to dismiss case and/or quash subpoena issued to Comcast ISP in a copyright infringement case involving movies and BitTorrent peer-to-peer (P2P) communications protocol file sharing. Obtained dismissal from lawsuit without prejudice.

SENTINEL INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. v. CHICAGO COMPUTER CLUB, CORP., XIADONG WANG a/k/a DANIEL WANG, and MICROSOFT CORPORATION (11-1400 U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Representing insured in action regarding insurance coverage for MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. CHICAGO COMPUTER CLUB and XIADONG WANG a/k/a DANIEL WANG (10 CV 7713 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(see below). Obtained settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

TAMPICO BEVERAGES v. TAMPICO FRESH MARKET, INC.; OCAMPO ENTERPRISES, INC.; and JOSE E. OCAMPO, MARHTA OCAMPO and JUAN OCAMPO, all d/b/a SUPERMERCADO TAMPICO (10 CV 8304 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/service mark infringement, dilution and unfair competition - TAMPICO). Representing Defendants in an action alleging federal trademark infringement, federal unfair competition and false designation of origin under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (registered mark) & 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); federal trademark dilution under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c), trademark dilution and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; and deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq., seeking injunctive relief, impoundment, compensatory damages, accounting of profits, exemplary damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. B&K TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC., a/k/a ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY REFURBISHING a/k/a ATR, BARBARA J. EHRESMAN and KENNETH D. EHRESMAN (10 CV 1413 ? U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(Microsoft lawsuit alleging software piracy, copyright infringement and trademark infringement - distribution of MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP). Representing Defendants in an action alleging copyright infringement, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false description, and representation of packaging under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and Illinois common law unfair competition, seeking constructive trust, accounting, injunctive relief, impoundment, damages, profits, attorneys' fees and costs. Settled.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. CHICAGO COMPUTER CLUB and XIADONG WANG a/k/a DANIEL WANG (10 CV 7713 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(Microsoft lawsuit alleging software piracy, copyright infringement and trademark infringement - distribution of MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP). Representing Defendants in an action alleging copyright infringement, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false description, and representation of packaging under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and Illinois common law unfair competition, seeking constructive trust, accounting, injunctive relief, impoundment, damages, profits, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.
CHICAGO RESTAURANT & ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE, INC. and DAVID LISSNER v. CHICAGORESTAURANT.COM (10 CV-1649 - U.S. District Court, Arizona)(CHICAGORESTAURANT.COM domain name). Represented Plaintiffs in an in rem action under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d) (?ACPA?), against the domain name CHICAGORESTAURANT.COM, seeking the transfer of the Domain Name as provided for in the ACPA, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(2)(D)(i), after client lost an arbitration proceeding under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy ("UDRP") when represented by a different firm. Obtained Judgment and Order to Transfer Domain Name.
GAITHER TOOL COMPANY v. SUMMIT TOOL COMPANY d/b/a KEN-TOOL (09 CV 3305 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(product design trade dress of tire mount/demount tools). Represented Plaintiff in an action for declaratory relief of invalidity, unenforceability and non-infringement of alleged product design trade dress of tire mount/demount tools, for an order cancelling a U.S. Trademark Registration, for false advertising and unfair competition under the Lanham Act 15 U.S.C. § 1125, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, common law unfair competition, false patent marking under 35 U.S.C. §292, and for injunctive relief, damages, profits, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Also represented Counter-Defendant on infringement and related claims. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit.

ALBION LABORATORIES, INC., ALBION INTERNATIONAL, INC. and BRECKENRIDGE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. PRUGEN, INC. (09 CV 93 - U.S. District Court, District of Utah)(patent infringement and false advertising)(hematinic prescription drug, generic drug substitution, and linking). Represented Defendant in an action alleging patent infringement and false advertising under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act), including Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Also represented Defendant in counterclaims seeking, inter alia, declaratory judgment of invalidity, non-infringement and unenforceability of the patent-in-suit and for damages for violations of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 15 and 25, as amended, and the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 11 and 2, violations of the Lanham Act, unfair competition, trade disparagement and slander. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

PHUSION PROJECTS, LLC v. UNITED BRANDS COMPANY, INC. (09 CV 624 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement and unfair competition - MAX family of trademarks and JOOSE malt beverages). Represented Defendant in an action seeking declaratory relief relating to allegations of trademark infringement, and claims for unfair competetion (disparagement). Filed counterclaims for false designation of origin, false advertising and unfair competition under the Trademark Act of 1946, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. (?Lanham Act?), trademark infringement, unfair competition, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage and disparagement under the common law, and cancellation of a U.S. trademark registration, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1119. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

DESTON THERAPEUTICS, L.L.C. v. PRUGEN, INC. and TWO LABS MARKETING, L.L.C. (08 CV 717 - U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina)(false advertising and unfair competition - Auralgen and PR Otic - prescription drug - generic drug substitution - linking). Represented Defendant in an action alleging false advertising and unfair competition, as under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); unfair competition under the common law of the State of North Carolina; and unfair and deceptive trade practices under the N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1. Filed counterclaims false advertising and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); unfair and deceptive trade practices under the N.C.Gen.Stat. § 75-1.1, et seq.; common law unfair competition, disparagement, tortious interference, slander and libel under the laws of state of North Carolina, and false patent marking under 35 U.S.C. § 292. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

U.S. AUTO PARTS NETWORK, INC. v. J.C. WHITNEY & CO. (08 CV 7306 - U.S. District Court, Central District of California)(servicemark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition - KOOL VUE). Represented Defendant in an action alleging servicemark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); service mark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of the State of California; unfair competition under the California Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17200 et seq. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

SHUTTER BOOTH, LLC v. SHUTTERBOX ENTERTAINMENT, LLC (08 CV 6260 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark infringement, trade dress infringement and unfair competition - SHUTTER BOOTH and SHUTTERBOX service marks, trade dress and logos). Represented Defendant in an action alleging service mark infringement, trade dress infringement and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (registered mark) & 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); service mark infringement, trade dress infringement and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 505/1, et seq.; and deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq. Obtained dismissal of lawsuit prior to filing appearance or answer.

LISA FRANK, INC. v. GREEN (C- 20055273 - Superior Court of Pima County, Arizona)(coporate director and buy-sell dispute). Represented corporation in an in action by director to remove co-director, enforce a stock buy-sell agreement among herself, co-director and corporation, and asserting a claim against co-director for breach of fiduciary duties. Co-director filed counterclaim against director, and cross-claim against corporation. Corporation counterclaimed against co-director, alleging he had obtained unauthorized access to corporate computers and seeking co-director's removal. After the parties had entered a stipulated order, the Superior Court of Pima County granted corporation's motion for sanctions against co-director, entered a default judgment against co-director in favor of corporation, and dismissed co-director's cross-claim against corporation. Co-director appealed. The Court of Appeals held that: (1) trial court order entering default judgment against co-director and dismissing co-director's claims against corporation with prejudice was an appealable order, though issue of damages had been reserved; (2) if statute of limitations for contempt proceedings was applicable, corporation's motions for sanctions were made within such limitations period; (3) corporation did not have a duty to act with reasonable diligence to have computers returned by co-director forensically analyzed to determine if he had copied corporate intellectual property; (4) trial court's entry of default judgment against co-director and dismissal of co-director's claims against corporation with prejudice complied with due process; (5) trial court did not abuse its discretion by dismissing co-director's claims against corporation with prejudice and entering default judgment for corporation; (6) default judgment could not be entered for corporation on corporation's claim seeking removal of co-director for fraud, when corporation had not pled the elements of fraud with the required factual specificity; and (7) based on corporation's allegations trial court could enter default judgment for corporation on claim that co-director obtained unauthorized access to corporation's computers.

RIVER'S EDGE PHARMACEUTICALS v. RHETT DANIELS, ELIZABETH TREZZA, JAMES MARK PUGH, HAROLD A. DEAS, JR. and BROOKSTONE PHARMACEUTICALS (2008-021512 Superior Court of State of Arizona - Maricopa County - 2008CV147347 Superior Court of Fulton County - State of Georgia))(Subpoena Duces Tecum). Represented non-party PruGen, Inc. in response to Subpoena Duces Tecum for Deposition of 30(b)(6) Witness and Production of Documents served by River's Edge Pharmaceuticals.

J.C. WHITNEY & CO. v. U.S. AUTO PARTS NETWORK, INC. (08 CV 3565 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(servicemark infringement, false advertising and unfari competition - CARPARTS and CARPARTS.COM servicemarks and logos). Represented Plainitff in an action for service mark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition under Title 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (registered mark) & 1125(a)(§ 43(a) of the Lanham Act); servicemark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of the State of Illinois; consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 505/1, et seq.; and deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, 815 ILCS § 510/1, et seq. Obtained confidential settlement.

STEVEN COUCH v. CVP SYSTEMS, INC. and KENNETH L. GIDEWALL (2007 MR 001532 - DuPage County, Illinois)(declaratory relief - ownership/inventorship dispute). Represented retired employee in an action by former employer alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of Invention Agreement, Tortious Interference, Conspiracy, Theft of Corporate Opportunity, Constructive Fraud and Unjust Enrichment involving ownership/inventorship dispute. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

RHT INC. d/b/a LINERS DIRECT v. REBATH, L.L.C. (08 CV 1102 - U.S. District Court, District of Arizona)(declaratory relief ? non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability of patent). Represented Plaintiff in an action against Re-Bath, L.L.C. for declaratory relief relating to non-infringement, invalidity and unenforecability of a U.S. utility patent. Obtained monetary settlement and disclaimer of patent-in-suit.

COUNTRY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY v. GEORGE F. GROSS and GEORGE F. GROSS and HANDYMAN INTEGRITY, INC. d/b/a ANGIE'S HANDYMAN (07 CH 15687 - Cook County, Illinois)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Represented insured in action regarding insurance coverage for BROWNSTONE PUBLISHING, LLC d/b/a ANGIE'S LIST v. GEORGE F. GROSS and HANDYMAN INTEGRITY, INC. d/b/a ANGIE'S HANDYMAN (07 C 1558 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(see below). Settled and dismissed - defense of underlying suit provided by insurer.

PIZZERIA UNO CORPORATION v. NUMERO UNO PIZZERIA, INC. and SAM FORTINIO (07 C 3334- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/service mark infringement, passing off, false designation of origin and unfair competition - PIZZERIA UNO and UNO marks). Represented Defendants in an action alleging infringement of federally registered trademarks and service marks under the Lanham Act, false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and passing off under the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking corrective advertising, enhanced damages, attorneys' fees, preliminary injunctive relief and permanent injunctive relief. Also represented Counter-Plaintiffs seeking cancellation of U.S. Trademark Registrations. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

ELRAE ENTREPRISES, INC. v. RAYMOND HELMER (07-1115 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(declaratory relief regarding ownership of intellectual property rights, breach of contract, tortious interference, and cybersquatting - XTREME PEDESTAL COVER). Represented Plaintiff in an action for declaratory relief of ownership of Invention, Patent Rights and Trademarks, for declaratory relief of no breach of contract by Plainitff, for breach of contract by inventor/assignee, tortious interference with Plainitff's prospective economic advantage by inventor/assignee, and for violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act under 15 U.S.C. 1125(d) by inventor/assignee, permeanent injunctive and other relief. Dismissed without prejudice to refile.

BROWNSTONE PUBLISHING, LLC d/b/a ANGIE'S LIST v. GEORGE F. GROSS and HANDYMAN INTEGRITY, INC. d/b/a ANGIE'S HANDYMAN (07 C 1558 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark and domain name infringement, dilution, cybersquatting, false advertising and unfair competition). Represented Defendants in an action alleging infringement of federally registered service marks under the Lanham Act, false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, dilution under the Lanham Act, service mark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (cybersquatting), seeking an accounting, damages and permanent injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

THE INVERLAND RUSSELL CO.'S v. TOLL BROS., INC. d/b/a/ TOLL BROTHERS HOMES, INC. (06 CV 6415 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement - architectural works). Represented Plaintiff in an action for copyright infringement in violation of the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. 101, et seq., seeking injunctive releif, an award of damages, an accounting, the imposition of a constructive trust, attorneys fees and costs. Obtained confidential settlement.

THE CINCINNATI INSURANCE COMPANY v. GREEN STREET INNOVATIONS, INC. (2006 07 2379 - Butler County, Ohio)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Represented insurer in a declaratory judgment action regarding insurance coverage for EXCEL GOLF TEE, INC. v. GREEN STREET INNOVATIONS, INC. (see below). Settled and dismissed - defense of underlying suit provided by insurer.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. CHICAGO COMPUTER CLUB and XIADONG WANG a/k/a DANIEL WANG (06 CV 3812 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(Microsoft lawsuit alleging software piracy, copyright infringement and trademark infringement - distribution of MICROSOFT Office Pro 2003 software). Represented Defendants pro bono in an action alleging copyright infringement, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false description, and representation of packaging under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and Illinois common law unfair competition, seeking constructive trust, accounting, injunctive relief, impoundment, damages, profits, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. APOLLO COMPUTER CORPORATION and JIABIN LIANG (06 CV 3811 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(Microsoft lawsuit alleging software piracy, copyright infringement and trademark infringement - distribution of MICROSOFT Windows XP Pro and MICROSOFT Office Pro 2003 software). Represented Defendants in an action by Microsoft Corporation alleging copyright infringement, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false description, and representation of packaging under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and Illinois common law unfair competition, seeking constructive trust, accounting, injunctive relief, impoundment, damages, profits, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained insurance coverage, settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

ACTIVE STEERING, LLC and TRANSPORTATION INVESTORS SERVICE CORPORATION v. PAUL S. WIKE (06 CV 3305 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois). Represented Plaintiffs in an action against their former consultant and Chief Engineer for breaches of fiduciary duties, conversion, unfair competition, breaches of Consultant?s Work Agreements, violations of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act, violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and violations of the Illinois Computer Tampering Act, seeking temporary retraining order, preliminary injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs, and an accounting. Obtained settlement.

SHARE HIS STORY, INC. v. ROMAN, INC. (06 CV 2922 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois) Represented Share Plaintiff in an action for false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations, false advertising and related unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and common law trademark, corporate name, tradename, title, tagline and/or advertising slogan infringement and unfair competition under Illinois law, seeking damages and permanent injunctive relief, a Judgment that the case is exceptional within the meaning of the Lanham Act, costs and attorneys? fees. Obtained confidential settlement.

MICROSOFT CORPORATION v. SONNY MILLER d/b/a EASY COMPUTERS (06 CV 2411 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(Microsoft lawsuit alleging software piracy, copyright infringement and trademark infringement - distribution of MICROSOFT Windows XP Pro and MICROSOFT Windows 2000 Pro software). Represented Defendant in an action by Microsoft Corporation alleging copyright infringement, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false description, and representation of packaging under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, and Illinois common law unfair competition, seeking constructive trust, accounting, injunctive relief, impoundment, damages, profits, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained insurance coverage, settlement, and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

EXCEL GOLF TEE, INC. v. GREEN STREET INNOVATIONS, INC. v. EXCEL GOLF TEE, INC. and EXCEL DOWEL AND WOOD PRODUCTS, INC. (06 CV 2052 - U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois))(trademark infringement suit - keyword advertising - ZERO FRICTION and ZERO FRICTION GOLF TEES). Represented Defendant in an action alleging trademark infringement, dilution under § 43(c) of the Lanham Act, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and Illinois common law fraud, seeking declaratory relief, expedited discovery, preliminary injunctive and permanent injunctive relief. Filed Counter-claims and Third-Party Claims for false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), trademark infringement of the common law marks ZERO FRICTION and ZERO FRICTION BRISTLE CAPS and unfair competition under Illinois common law, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and a violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act - cyberpiracy, seeking accounting, damages, cancellation of a federal trademark registration, permanent injunctive relief; a Judgment that the case is exceptional within the meaning of the Lanham Act, costs and attorneys? fees. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

CHARLES E. HINDS v. CENTENNIAL PRODUCTIONS, INC. (05 CV 5393 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(patent infringement). Represented Plaintiff in an action against Centennial Productions, Inc. for patent infringement seeking damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees and costs. Obtained Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction Upon Consent and settlement including payment for damages, attorneys' fees and court costs.

STANDARD MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY v. CARLBERG GRAFIX, INC., CARLBERG DESIGN, INC. and PRL USA HOLDINGS, INC.; CARLBERG GRAFIX, INC. and CARLBERG DESIGN, INC. v. SELECTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY (2005 MR 413 - Sangamon County, Illinois)(insurance coverage - advertising injury). Represented insureds in a declaratory judgment action regarding insurance coverage for PRL USA HOLDINGS, INC. v. CARLBERG DESIGN, INC., d/b/a RUGBY AMERICA, LTD and CARLBERG GRAFIX, INC. (see below) and related counterclaims for coverage and vexatious and unreasonable denial of coverage. Obtained dismissal without prejudice - defense provided for underlying suit in the Southern District of New York.

GREGORY HILDERBRAND v. SEAN J. COMBS, a/k/a P. Diddy, a/k/a Sean John, a/k/a/ Puffy, a/k/a Puff Daddy, SEAN JOHN CLOTHING, INC., BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT, INC. and CHRISTIAN CASEY, LLC (05 CV 4434 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(unfair competition and reverse confusion infringement of federally registered IT'S A LIFESTYLE). Represented Plaintiff in an action for infringement of a federally registered United States trademark, and for false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations, false advertising and related unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, as well as deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, common law trademark/service mark infringement and unfair competition under Illinois law. Obtained confidential settlement.

PRL USA HOLDINGS, INC. v. CARLBERG DESIGN, INC., d/b/a RUGBY AMERICA, LTD; and CARLBERG GRAFIX, INC. (05 CV 5888 - U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York) Represented Defendants in substantial mirror-image of previously-filed Case No. 05 CV 3151 in the U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois (see below). Obtained dismissal of all of Polo Ralph Lauren's claims, with prejudice, on the eve of trial, without prejudice to Carlberg's application for attorneys' fees. Subsequently obtained confidential settlement of Carlberg's claims against PRL.

CARLBERG DESIGN, INC. d/b/a RUGBY AMERICA, LTD. v. PRL USA HOLDINGS, INC. (05 CV 3151 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(declaratory relief ? non-infringement and non-dilution of alleged RUGBY marks of Polo Ralph Lauren and cancellation of U.S. Trademark Registration for RUGBY). Represented Plaintiffs in an action for declaratory relief relating to non-infringement and non-dilution of alleged trademarks and cancellation of U.S. Trademark Registration for RUGBY. Dismissed in favor of Case No. 05 CV 5888 in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.

CARDINAL SCALE MANUFACTURING INC. v. VICTORIA HERRMANN d/b/a DYNAMIC SCALES (04 CV 5050 - U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri)(cyberpiracy, trademark infringement and unfair competition ? detecto.com and cardinalscales.com domain names). Represented Defendants in an action by Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Inc. alleging registered trademark infringement, unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, cyberpiracy under the § 43(d) of the Lanham Act, and unfair competition under the common law of Missouri. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

LINERS DIRECT, INC. v. LUXURY BATH LINERS, INC. and LUXURY FRANCHISE CORP., d/b/a LUXURY BATH SYSTEMS, INC., ANTHONY J. KEENE, ARBORLINK, INC., d/b/a/ ARBORLINK and ARBORLINK.COM, (04 C 0108 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/domain name infringement, typosquatting and unfair competition). Represented Plaintiff in an action for false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, trademark, service mark and tradename infringement, and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (cybersquatting/typosquatting), seeking accounting, damages and permanent injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement.

AUTOZONE, INC. and SPEEDBAR, INC. v. MICHAEL STRICK, d/b/a OIL ZONE and WASH ZONE, and STRICK ENTERPRISES, INC., d/b/a/ OIL ZONE (03 CV 8152 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark and trademark infringement, tradename infringement, unfair competition, and service mark and trademark dilution ? AUTOZONE, AUTOZONE.COM and ZONE Marks versus OIL ZONE and WASH ZONE Marks). Represented Defendants in an action alleging service mark and trademark infringement, tradename infringement, unfair competition, and service mark and trademark dilution arising under the Federal Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq., and the statutes and common law of Illinois. Filed counterclaims for an order canceling a U.S. Trademark Registration for the ZONE mark, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1119, for entry of a Judgment that Counter-Defendant Speedbar procured a U.S. Trademark Registration for the ZONE mark by a false or fraudulent declaration or representation, for a Judgment that Counter-Plaintiffs are entitled to damages under 15 U.S.C. § 1120 for Counter-Defendant?s procured U.S. Trademark Registration by a false or fraudulent declaration or representation and granting Counter-Plaintiffs damages in an amount to be determined at trial, for trademark, service mark and tradename infringement of the mark OIL ZONE, and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois; consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking an accounting, damages, permanent injunctive relief, a Judgment that the case is exceptional within the meaning of the Lanham Act, costs and attorneys? fees. Obtained coverage with insurers reassigning defense to counsel of their choice. Judgment entered in favor of Defendants; appeal pending.

THE AMETHYST CORPORATION v. DANIEL T. WILLIAMS, INTERACTIVE BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC. and WAIB TECHNOLOGY LLC (03 CV 7204 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(cyberpiracy, service mark infringement and unfair competition ? AMETHYST.COM domain name). Represented Plaintiff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), trademark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, seeking accounting, damages and preliminary injunctive relief. Control of domain name transferred by registrar to court during pendency of lawsuit. Obtained Consent Decree.

GAITHER TOOL COMPANY v. SUMMIT TOOL COMPANY d/b/a KEN-TOOL (03 CV 3198 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(declaratory relief ? non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability of patent). Represented Plaintiff in an action for declaratory relief relating to non-infringement, invalidity and unenforecability of U.S. utility and design patents and counter-claims for infringement. Obtained stipulated dismissal upon settlement.

BONNIE FLOWER SHOPS, INC. v. BOZENA PUSKARZ d/ba BONNIES FLOWERS AND GIFTS d/b/a BONNIE'S FLOWER SHOP (03 CV 5859 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(corporate name, tradename and service mark infringement ? BONNIE FLOWER SHOPS, INC. and BONNIE FLOWER SHOP marks). Represented Plaintiff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), service mark infringement and unfair competition under Illinois law, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking accounting, preliminary injunctive relief, damages, costs and attorneys' fees. Obtained Consent Judgment enjoining continued use of marks and cancellation of Defendant's telephone number.

THE CERTIF-A-GIFT COMPANY v. HERBERT A. VOGT and VCP, INC. (03 CV 4339 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(cybersquatting ? CERTIF-A-GIFT Mark). Represented The Plaintiff in an action for violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, seeking permanent injunctive relief, damages, costs and attorneys' fees. Obtained settlement, including assignment of Defendants' domain name registration.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & RECOVERY CORPORATION v. ROBERT A. PAGE, JR. (03 CV 884 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(Declaratory judgment regarding ownership of patent rights - LIFEGEM diamonds). Represented Plaintiff in an action for declaratory relief regarding ownership of patent rights. Dismissed upon agreement without prejudice to refiling.

INZER v. FRANTZ (03 CV 552 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(patent infringement suit). Represented Defnedant in an action alleging patent infringement. Obtained dismissal with prejudice per settlement.

WESCO, INC. v. WILLIAM S. HAAS (02 - 1181 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(patent infringement and inventorship dispute). Represented Defendant in an action for patent infringement and counter-claim for declaratory relief regarding inventorship. Stipulated Judgment Order Granting Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment of non-infringement entered after Markman claims construction and withdrawal. Case dismissed upon settlement, including payment to Plainitff in the amount of $55,000.00.

SUMMIT SEED, INC. v. SUPERIOR QUALITY PRODUCTS, INC. and REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, INC. (02 CV 8379 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement and unfair competition ? THE ENHANCER Mark). Represented Plaintiff in an action for infringement of a federally registered United States trademark, false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, deceptive trade practices, common law trademark infringement and unfair competition under Illinois law. Obtained confidential settlements.

PRACTICEWORKS, INC. and SOFTDENT, LLC v. DENTAL MEDICAL AUTOMATION, INC. (02 CV 1205)(U.S. District Court, Baltimore, Maryland)(declaratory judgment for software distributorship termination). Represented Defendants in an action seeking a declaratory judgment that a dealership agreement has been terminated and/or not renewed, copyright infringement and breach of contract, and its counter-claims for a declaratory judgment that the dealership agreement has not been properly terminated and/or not renewed, breach of contract, disparaging, false, inaccurate and/or misleading representations in violation of the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, a deceptive act or practice in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and unfair competition and trade disparagement under the common law of Illinois, seeking a declaratory judgment that Counter-Plaintiffs can continue to provide technical support and service of Plaintiff's products to customers pending the litigation and/or after termination of the Agreement by Plaintiff, violation of Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) for publication of false, inaccurate and/or misleading representations related to the services of Counter-Plainitffs by Counter-Defendant to third parties, tortious interference with Counter-Plaintiff's contracts with its customers by Counter-Defendant, tortious interference with Counter-Plaintiff's prospective economic advantage with respect to its prospective customers by Counter-Defnedant, an accounting, and violation of the United States Antitrust Laws (Sherman Act). Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

PRACTICEWORKS, INC. and SOFTDENT, LLC v. PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC. (02 CV 1206)(U.S. District Court, Baltimore, Maryland)(declaratory judgment for software distributorship termination). Same as Case 02 CV 1205).

SUMMIT SEED, INC. v. WADE E. WILLIAMS (02 CV 4094 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(declaratory relief ? trademark infringement). Represented Plaintiff in an action for declaratory relief of non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability of trademark, cancellation of a United States Trademark Registration and a related claim for unfair competition under Illinois law. Obtained settlement and assignment of Defendant?s federal registration.

INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE CORPORATION AND INTERNATIONAL TRUCK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY, LLC v. DOW-HAMMOND TRUCKS, INC. (02 CV 3460 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of California)(franchise termination/trademark infringement). Represented Defendant in an action seeking a preliminary injunction for trademark infringement, common law trademark and tradename infringement and unfair competition, and breach of contract. Obtained transfer of case to California. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

JOSEPH WINOKUR v. SOMMER & MACA INDUSTRIES, INC., TOMASE KACZMARCZYK, and ANTO AUTO GLASS BLACK, INC. (02-72164 - U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan)(trademark infringement, unfair competition and breach of contract). Represented Defendant Sommer & Maca Industries, Inc. in an action alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition, and in cross-claims and counter-claims for breaches of contracts. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

LINERS DIRECT, INC. v. RE-BATH, LLC (02 C 9328 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(patent infringement, trademark/domain name infringement, cybersquatting and unfair competition). Represented Plaintiff in an action against for false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), trademark, service mark and tradename infringement, and unfair competition under Illinois law, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, violation of the Federal Patent Laws, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d), seeking an accounting, damages, costs, attorneys' fees and permanent injunctive relief. Obtained settlement, including assignment of Defendant's domain name registration.

NATURE'S OWN v. STEVE VAN HEESWYK (01 CV 7678 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark/domain name infringement, dilution and cyberpiracy ? WHITETAILHABITAT Mark and whitetailhabitatplus.com). Represented Plaintiff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, trademark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of the State of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, seeking accounting, damages, costs, attorneys' fees and preliminary injunctive relief. Obtained settlement and permanent injunctive relief.

RECORDABLES, INC. v. RISK SCIENCES GROUP, INC. and CRAWFORD AND COMPANY (01 CV 6963 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement and breaches of contracts). Represented Plaintiff in an action for copyright infringement and related claims for breaches of contracts (written, oral partnership, shrink-wrap and Confidential Disclosure Agreement), breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, unjust enrichment, quantum meruit, unfair competition, a violation of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act, seeking damages and an accounting. Obtained confidential settlement.

ALLENDORFER ROOFING COMPANY, LTD. v. B. ALLENDORFER ROOFING COMPANY (01 CV 5403 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(domain name/service mark infringement and cyberpiracy ? ALLENDORFER ROOFING COMPANY and allendorferroofing.com). Represented Defendant in an action for false designation of origin as provided for Lanham Act, violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, violation of the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

GAITHER TOOL COMPANY v. SUMMIT TOOL COMPANY d/b/a KEN-TOOL (01 CV 4096 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(trademark infringement and dilution ? BEAD KEEPER mark). Represented Plaintiff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, trademark infringement and unfair competition under Illinois law, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking an accounting, damages, costs and attorneys' fees and preliminary injunctive relief. Obtained settlement and permanent injunctive relief. Motion for an Order to Show Cause Why Defendant, Summit Tool Company, Should Not be Held in Contempt, and to Enforce the Consent Judgment filed in 2012. Motion for Contempt granted and client awarded attorneys' fees and costs, plus an accounting of defendant's profits generated from violation of the Consent Judgment.

KEELSHIELD, INC, SUE ROGERS-SMITH and SCOTT SMITH v. MEGAWARE KEEL-GUARD, INC., d/b/a MEGAWARE BOAT PROTECTION PRODUCTS and DAVID L. SHUMWAY (00-1312 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(trademark infringement ? KEELSHIELD mark in meta-tag and hidden website text, dilution, breach of contract, tortious interference and false advertising). Represented Plaintiffs in an action for false and/or misleading designations, descriptions or representations and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, breach of contract, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, trade disparagement and commercial defamation under the common law of Illinois, seeking accounting, damages, costs, attorneys' fees and permanent injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement

GENERAL CASUALTY COMPANY OF WISCONSIN v. INTELIA, INC. and INTEL CORPORATION (00 CV 8532 ? Wisconsin Circuit Court)(declaratory action for insurance coverage). Represented insurer in an action regarding indemnification and defense under the ?advertising injury? provisions of a commercial general liability policy of insurance for alleged service mark infringement. Obtained settlement with coverage provided.

INTEL CORPORATION v. INTELIA, INC. (00 CV 1306 ? U.S. District Court, Northern District of California)(service mark infringement and dilution ? INTEL marks). Represented Defendant in an action alleging service mark infringement and dilution action. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

AMM'S LIMOUSINE SERVICE, INC. v. O?HARE-MIDWAY EXECUTIVE, INC. d/b/a/AMM'S LIMOUSINE SERVICE EXECUTIVE and DIMITRE N. KOTCHEV (00 CH 2702 ? Cook County Circuit Court)(service mark infringement ? AMM?S mark). Represented Defendants in an action by Amm's Limousine Service, inc. alleging service mark infringement action. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

DATABURST, LLC v. CHECKFREE CORPORATION (00 CV 7944 - United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(patent infringement). Represented Plaintiff in an action for patent infringement seeking damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees and costs. Summary judgment of non-infringement. Appealed adverse judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Judgment sustained.

PHOENIX DEVELOPERS, L.L.C. v. CHARLES D. SHARP and SHARP HOMES, INC. v. PHOENIX DEVELOPERS, L.L.C. and LAWRENCE A. CAPISTA (00 CV 7179 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement and trade dress infringement ? architectural designs). Represented Defendants in an action alleging infringement of copyright and trade dress relating to architectural designs. Brought counterclaims for declaratory relief and for violation of the Copyright Protection and Management System Act. Obtained confidential settlement.

AMERICASH JEWELERS, Inc., v. AMERICASH LOANS, L.L.C. (00 CV 1902 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark infringement, trade dress infringement and dilution ? AMERICASH mark). Represented Plaintiff in an action for service mark infringement and unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, service mark and trade dress infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois and under the Illinois Trademark Registration and Protection Act, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of the State of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking accounting, damages, costs, attorneys' fees and permanent injunctive relief. Obtained confidential settlement.

BUDGET RENT A CAR CORPORATION, v. BUDGET SELF STORAGE, INC. (00 CV 526 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(breach of contract - alleged trademark assignment). Represented Defendant in an alleged breach of contract action by Budget Rent A Car Corporation arising out of settlement negotiations in a pending Trademark Opposition Proceeding before the TTAB. Obtained dismissal based on lack of jurisdiction.

EXCALIBUR CHICAGO, INC. v. VITAL PRODUCTIONS, INC. (99 CV 3983 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark infringement and dilution ? CLUB X mark). Represented Plainitff in an action for unfair competition under § 43(a) of the Lanham Act), service mark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking an accounting, damages, costs, attorneys' fees and preliminary injunctive relief. Obtained settlement and temporary and permanent injunctive relief.

LUXURY BATH LINERS, INC. and LUXURY FRANCHISE CORP. v. MARK C. SMITH, CONRAD SHOWER ENCLOSURES and LINERS DIRECT, INC. (99 CV 0045 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(patent infringement and breach of contract). Represented Defendants in an action alleging patent infringement and breach of contract action. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

GEORGE ZELINSKI, JR. and PIN BREAKER, INC. v. COLUMBIA 300, INC. (98 CV 1059 - U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois)(trademark infringement ? PINBREAKER mark). Representing Plaintiffs in an action for trademark infringement and dilution. Obtained jury verdict in the amount of $70,000.00 in compensatory damages and $710,000.00 in punitive damages. Liability and compensatory damages award affirmed on appeal.

COMPUTER PROGRAMS UNLIMITED, INC. v. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, GRADY C. JORDAN and LOLETTA R. MCDOWELL (98 CV 1096 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement). Represented Plaintiff in an action for copyright infringement of computer software program. Obtained confidential settlement.

TELEION CORP. v. TELEIN, INC. (98 CV 1048 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark infringement and dilution ? TELEION mark). Represented Defendant in an action alleging federal trademark/service mark infringement under the Lanham Act, service mark infringement and unfair competition under the common law of Illinois, dilution under the Illinois Anti-Dilution Law and the common law of Illinois, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking injunctive relief. Final Judgment Upon Consent.

AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS v. HELP AT HOME, INC. (97 CV 8166 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark infringement and statutory violation ? Greek Red Cross design). Represented Defendant in an action alleging service mark infringement. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

ANTENNAS AMERICA, INC., JASCO PRODUCTS CO., INC., and MITO CORPORATION v. TERK TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, NEIL TERK, TOM JENSEN & ASSOCIATES, TOM JENSEN, and ROBERT A. HODGE, JR. (97 CV 5597 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(false advertising, tortious interference and breach of contract). Represented Plaintiffs in an action against for false and/or misleading representations in violation of § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition, breach of contract and trade disparagement under Illinois common law. Obtained confidential settlement.

NOVARTIS FINANCE CORPORATION, NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION and CIBAVISION CORPORATION v. CENTRAL ILLINOIS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATORS, INC. (97 CV 2644 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark infringement and dilution ? CIEBA mark). Represented Defendant in an action alleging trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false description and misrepresentation in commerce, and dilution of trademarks, all arising under the trademark laws of the United States, dilution of trade names and trademarks, arising under Illinois law, deceptive trade practices arising under Illinois law and related claims arising under the common law of unfair competition. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

GAITHER TOOL COMPANY v. TIRE SERVICE EQUIPMENT MFG., INC. and WES SPRUNK (96 CV 8094 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(declaratory relief ? non-infringement of patent, false advertising and tortious interference). Represented Gaither Tool Company in an action for declaratory relief and false and/or misleading representations in violation of § 43(a) of the Lanham Act, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition and trade disparagement under Illinois common law. Obtained confidential settlement.

JANMARK, INC. v. JAMES T. REIDY and DREAMKEEPER, INC. (96 C 7206 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(declaratory relief - copyright infringement and trademark infringement and tortious interference). Represented Plaintiff in an action for declaratory relief of non-infringement of copyrights and trade dress and for tortious interference with prospective economic advantage. Obtained reversal of dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction on appeal to Seventh Circuit and confidential settlement.

S.T.R. INDUSTRIES, INC. v. PALMER INDUSTRIES, INC., PALMER AMERICA, INC. and PETER CHUANG (96 CV 4251 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(copyright infringement). Represented Plaintiff in an action against for copyright infringement and illegal importation under the laws of the United States, consumer fraud under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, deceptive trade practices under the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, common law unfair competition under Illinois law, and an accounting. Obtained confidential settlement.

ITALIAN EXPRESS FRANCHISE CORPORATION v. JULIUS GIANAKOS d/b/a DAIRY EMPORIUM (96-1436 - U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois)(service mark and trade dress infringement). Represented Defendant in an action seeking an injunction pursuant to violation of the federal laws on service mark infringement and unfair competition, the Illinois common law of service mark infringement and unfair competition, the Illinois Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Obtained confidential settlement and dismissal of lawsuit with prejudice.

ICANN/UDRP DOMAIN NAME ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS

DAVID LISSNER v. MICHAEL SNELL, NAF Proceeding No. FA1103001380965. Representing Complainant in an arbitration proceeding initiated in the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) regarding a registered domain name. Obtained Order transferring domain name to Complainant.

J.C. WHITNEY & COMPANY v. DOMAINS BY PROXY, NAF Proceeding No. FA061002001308149. Represented Complainant in an arbitration proceeding initiated in the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) regarding a registered domain name. Obtained Order transferring domain name to Complainant.

PLANET ENTERTAINMENT, INC. v. ALAN KNIGHT, NAF Proceeding No. FA06110000855505. Represented Complainant in an arbitration proceeding initiated in the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) regarding a registered domain name. Obtained Order transferring domain name to Complainant.

WEBMD CORPORATION v. FEROTECH SOLUTION SERVICES - NAF Proceeding No. FA0508000549226. Represented Respondent in an arbitration proceeding initiated in the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) regarding a registered domain name. Transfer of domain name to Respondent ordered.

BRECHBUHLER SCALES, INC. v. DYNAMIC SCALES, et al. NAF - Proceeding No. FA0306000164564. Represented Respondent in NAF arbitration under the UDRP regarding eight registered domain names. Settled.

AMF BOWLING WORLDWIDE, INC. v. DAVID FREWING & U.S. BOWLING CORP. - NAF Proceeding No. FA0304000155464. Represented Respondent in NAF arbitration under the UDRP regarding seven registered domain names. Settled.

PATENT INTER PARTIES REEXAMINATION PROCEEDINGS

Representing Third Party Requester in Ex Parte Reexamination Proceeding No. 90013203 regarding United States Patent No. 6,179,033. Request granted. All Reexamination Claims rejected. Appeal pending.

Represented Patent Owner in Inter Parties Reexamination Proceeding Control No. 95/000,129 brought by Motorola Inc. regarding United States Patent No. 6,377,179. Reexamination Certificate Issued.

TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

MUHAMMAD SALMAN - TTAB Cancellation (COUPON REFUND registration). Representing Petitioner. Supsended pending disposition of civil action.

SCREENSAFE, INC. v. EKEHOLM AND ASSOCIATES, LLC - TTAB Cancellation (SCREENSAFE registration). Representing Petitioner. Settled.

BOUNCE HOLDINGS, LLC v. JARED LYONS - TTAB Opposition No. 91207157 (BOUNCE MUSIC FESTIVAL). Representing Applicant. Dismissed with prejudice upon Motion.

SAZERAC COMPANY, INC. v. DEPARTMENT28, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91203988 (TRAVELLER28 VODKA application). Represented Applicant. Withdrawal of Application.

SAZERAC COMPANY, INC. v. DEPARTMENT28, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91203879 (TRAVELLER BLACK EDITION VODKA application). Represented Applicant. Withdrawal of Application.

MOTION RESEARCH, LLC. v. ISLANDS ON-LINE LTD. - TTAB Opposition No. 91192165 (EGIRL application). Represented Opposer. Judgment entered against applicant, sustaining the notice of opposition and refusing registration.

DAVID LISSNER v. MATTHEW G. BAIRD - TTAB Cancellation No. 92051573 (THE FOOD DUDE registration). Represented Petitioner. Judgment entered against registrant, granting the petition for cancellation and cancelling the registration.

PA TREND, INC. v. LISA FRANK, INC. - TTAB Cancellation No. 92048535 (ANGEL PUPPY registration). Represented Registrant. Dismissed without prejudice upon withdrawal of the opposition by opposer.

NO FEAR, INC. v. LISA FRANK, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91174854 (FEARLESS 5 application). Represented Applicant. Application withdrawn.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS, L.L.C. v. LISA FRANK, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91167986 (BROOKLYN application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed without prejudice upon withdrawal of the opposition by opposer, with Applicant's consent.

OMS INVESTMENTS, INC. v. PELLETIZED STRAW, LLC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91178190 (MAX MATRIX application). Represented Applicant. Application withdrawn.

RED HOT GROOVE, L.L.C.. v. FLORENTINE GARDENS CORPORATE DINING, LLC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91173188 (IN THYME CAFE and design application). Represented Opposer. Judgment entered against applicant, sustaining the notice of opposition and refusing registration.

KELLOGG NORTH AMERICA COMPANY. v. JUST OFF MELROSE, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91165195 (JUST CROUTONS application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed without prejudice upon withdrawal of the opposition by opposer, with Applicant's consent.

PRL USA HOLDINGS, INC. v. CARLBERG GRAFIX, INC.- TTAB Opposition No. 91165055 (RUGBY GIRL application). Representing Applicant. Dismissed with prejudice.

STRICK ENTERPRISES, INC. v. AUTOZONE PARTS INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91161248 (OILZONE). Representing Opposer. Stayed pending outcome of suit in federal court.

STRICK ENTERPRISES, INC. v. SPEEDBAR, INC (AutoZone) - TTAB Cancellation No. 92043103 (ZONE). Representing Petitioner. Stayed pending outcome of suit in federal court.

BUDDHA BAR, INC. v. GEORGE RESTAURANT (S.A.) CORPORATION - TTAB Opposition No. 91124298 (LITTLE BUDDHA CAFÉ). Represented Opposer. Dismissed with prejudice.

BUDDHA BAR, INC. v. GEORGE RESTAURANT (S.A.) CORPORATION - TTAB Cancellation No. 92040265 (BUDDHA BAR). Represented Petitioner. Dismissed with prejudice.

CONSECO, INC. and CONSECO SERVICES, LLC v. CENTRAL ILLINOIS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATORS, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 92032121 (CONSOCIATE CARE application). Represented Registrant. Dismissed with prejudice.

CONSECO SERVICES, LLC v. CENTRAL ILLINOIS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATORS, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91119691 (CONSOCIA+E GROUP and design application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed with prejudice.

INTEL CORPORATION v. INTELIA, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91114785 (INTELIA and INTELIA (Stylized) applications). Represented Applicant. Sustained per settlement.

AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS v. HELP AT HOME, INC. - TTAB Opposition No. 91112318 (HELP AT HOME and design application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed with prejudice upon settlement.

RENT A CAR CORPORATION v. BUDGET SELF STORAGE - TTAB Opposition No. 91111773 (BUDGET SELF STORAGE application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed without prejudice upon withdrawal of the opposition by opposer, with Applicant's consent.

THE SUMMIT PUBLISHING GROUP, INC. v. TRAVEL PUBLISHING GROUP, INC. - TTAB Cancellation No. 92028500 (THE SUMMIT GROUP registration). Represented Petitioner. Registration cancelled.

JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES v. HELP AT HOME, INC.- TTAB Opposition No. 91111735 (HELP AT HOME and design application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed with prejudice upon settlement.

HERMAN MILLER, INC. v. ERGOBILT, INC. TTAB Opposition No. 91107200 (ERGOBILT application). Represented Applicant. Dismissed without prejudice upon settlement.

SUMMIT SEED, INC. v. CAUDILL SEED COMPANY, INC. - TTAB Cancellation No. 92026593 (3D registration). Represented Petitioner. Dismissed with prejudice upon settlement.

Definition of A Patent

A patent is a legal document issued by the United States government to someone who has made a patentable invention. A valid and enforceable United States patent gives its owner the right to exclude others from making, using, offering to sell, selling or importing the patented invention within the United States, usually for 20 years from the date that the patent was filed (previously 17 years form the date of issuance).

The invention described in a patent is defined -- that is, limited -- by what patent law refers to as the "claims." These claims usually consist of multiple parts, which are called "elements" or "limitations." The function of a patent claim is not merely to outline or summarize what is shown and described in the patent, but, rather, to define the exact boundaries of the alleged invention. Claims appear as separate, numbered paragraphs at the end of the patent specification. It is the claims alone that determine whether a patent is or is not infringed. Claims have been compared to the description in a deed to land, which points out what the property boundaries are. Within those boundaries, one who enters without permission of the owner is a trespasser. Similarly, one who does not enter the claims, or boundaries, of a patent is not an infringer.

There are two types of claims: (1) independent claims, which refer to no other claim; and (2) dependent claims, which refer to a prior claim. A dependent claim consists of its limitations plus all of the limitations of the claim to which it refers. A dependent claim cannot be infringed unless the claim to which it refers is infringed.

Utility Patent versus Design Patent

In general terms, a "utility patent" protects the way an article is used and works, while a "design patent" protects the way an article looks. Both design and utility patents may be obtained on an article if invention resides both in its utility and ornamental appearance. While utility and design patents afford legally separate protection, the utility and ornamentality of an article are not easily separable. Articles of manufacture may possess both functional and ornamental characteristics. Because design patents protect only the appearance of an article of manufacture, it is possible that minimal differences between similar designs can render each patentable. Therefore, even though you may ultimately receive a design patent for your product, the protection afforded by such a patent may be somewhat limited. Finally, you should also be aware of the broad distinction between utility and design patents, and realize that a design patent may not give you the protection desired.

How A Patent is Obtained

Subject matter that may be patentable can be a process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter (i.e., a product) -- or an improvement or feature of a process, machine, or product. However, not every invention can be patented. Before an invention can be patented certain conditions must be met. The invention must be new and useful. Even though new, it also must be something that would not have been obvious to other workers in the field at the time it was invented. The patentability of an invention is judged against everything publicly known before the invention was created. Such public knowledge is found in earlier patents, devices of others and other published materials. This body of public knowledge is called "prior art."

The law makes a patent a bargain between the inventor and the public. The rights provided by a patent are granted in exchange for a full disclosure of the invention to the public, who will be able to freely use it after the patent expires. Thus, a full and fair disclosure is a further condition to the granting of a patent. The disclosure is made in an application for a patent filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The application is the initial set of papers that a patent applicant files with the PTO. The application, which may be kept secret until the patent issues, must include a written description of the invention -- also called the "specification" -- which, through words and drawings, explains what the invention is, how it works, and how to make and use it. In other words, the written specification must describe the invention and enable others reasonably skilled in the relevant field to practice the invention without undue experimentation. There is an important difference between the specification and patent drawings, on the one hand, and the claims, on the other. In particular, neither the specification nor the drawings of a patent can be infringed -- only the patent claims can be infringed.

The specification also must disclose the best way known at the time to the inventor for carrying out his or her invention. This best way is sometimes referred to as the "best mode."

After the applicant files the application, a PTO patent examiner reviews (or examines) the patent application to determine whether the claims are patentable and whether the specification adequately describes the invention claimed.

Prosecution History

The process of applying for a patent is usually called "patent prosecution." Patent prosecution involves preparing and filing a patent application, and then having this application examined by a Patent Office Examiner (or Patent Examiner).

In examining a patent application, the patent examiner makes a search of the prior art information to determine whether or not the invention as claimed is new and not obvious.

Following the prior art search and examination of the application, the patent examiner then advises the applicant in writing what the examiner has found and whether he has allowed or rejected any claim. This writing from the PTO examiner is called an office action. More often than not, the initial office action by the patent examiner rejects the claims. The applicant then responds to this office action, and sometimes changes the claims or submits new claims. This process may go back and forth between the patent examiner and the applicant, even for several years, until the examiner is satisfied or the applicant gives up. Because patent applications are secret unless and until published, only the applicant and the Patent Office Examiner are involved in this process. The papers exchanged between the Examiner and applicant as part of this give and take process are collected in a file called the prosecution history or the file wrapper.

The prosecution history may be very important in determining just what the claims mean and what they cover -- that is to say, what features have been patented. The patent owner cannot, during a trial, recapture or reclaim subject matter that was given up during the patent application process. For example, if a patent applicant tells the Patent Office that certain subject matter is not part of the invention, and a patent is then granted, members of the public, including the patent owner's competitors, can use the subject matter that the applicant gave up, just as though this subject matter were public land. The entire prosecution history file becomes publicly available only if and when the patent issues.

Duty of Candor to Patent Office

In deciding whether to grant a patent, the Patent Examiner has only limited information available to determine the content of the prior art. The time available to the Examiner for considering a given application is also limited. Therefore, to help make sure that an applicant is not granted a patent that is not deserved, the PTO requires every applicant to disclose fully and truthfully to the Examiner all information of which the applicant is aware that would be important -- that is, material -- to the examination of the application. Individuals participating in the application process are required not to make any intentionally false or misleading statements or omissions. This obligation to deal honestly and fairly with the Patent Office is called the "duty of candor."

The application process does not involve arm's length negotiations. ("Arm's length negotiations" are negotiations between persons or parties with equal information and equal bargaining positions.) Persons and companies involved in the application process must abide by this duty of candor. The duty falls on the inventors named on the application, the company or person that is the owner of the application and any resulting patent, the patent attorneys who are handling the patent application and communicating with the Patent Examiner, and any other people who have more than a casual involvement with the application.

Information is considered material and needs to be disclosed to the Patent Office where there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable Patent Examiner would have considered such information important in deciding whether or not to allow the application to issue as a patent.

Claim Construction and Infringement -- Generally

The patent claims are numbered paragraphs at the end of the patent.

The claims are "word pictures" intended to define, in words, the boundaries of the invention described and illustrated in the patent. Only the claims of the patent can be infringed. Each of the claims must be considered individually, and not all claims of a patent have to be infringed for the patent to be infringed. To prove patent infringement with regard to each patent, a patentee must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that at least one claim from each patent is infringed.

Determining Infringement

The patent law gives the owner of a valid patent the right to exclude others from making, using, importing, offering to sell, or selling the patented invention from the time the patent issues until the time it expires. The patent law provides that any person or business entity which, without the patent owner's permission, makes, uses or sells within the United States any product or method that is covered by at least one valid claim of a patent before the patent expires, infringes the patent.

Literal Infringement

A patent claim is literally infringed only if another's products or methods include each and every element in the asserted patent claim. If the accused products or methods do not contain one or more elements recited in the claim, an accused does not literally infringe that claim.

To determine literal infringement, one must compare the accused products and methods with each claim of the patent.

Infringement Under the Doctrine of Equivalents

If an accused product or method does not literally infringe any claim of a patent, one must then determine whether the accused product or method infringes the claim under what is referred to as the doctrine of equivalents. To find that an accused product or method infringes under the doctrine of equivalents, one must find for each element of the claim that is not found exactly in the accused product or method that there is an equivalent element in the accused product or method.

To prove that the accused product or method includes an equivalent of the element that is not literally present, one must show that the accused product includes a component, or the accused method includes a step, that is an insubstantial change from the claim element that is not literally present. In making this determination, one should consider whether the component or step in the accused product or method performs (1) substantially the same function, (2) in substantially the same way (3) to achieve substantially the same result as the claim element that is not literally present. If each of these three items is not present, the accused product or method does not infringe that claim under the doctrine of equivalents.

In addition, if an element of the claim of the patent is completely missing from the accused product or method, that claim is not infringed under the doctrine of equivalents.

Infringement of Dependent Claims

There are typically two different types of claims in patents. One type of claim is called an independent claim. The other type of claim is called a dependent claim.

An independent claim is a claim that does not refer to any other claim of the patent. An independent claim must be read separately from the other claims to determine the scope of the claim.

A dependent claim is a claim that refers to at least one other claim in the patent. A dependent claim incorporates all of the elements of the claim to which the dependent claim refers, as well as the elements recited in the dependent claim itself.

To establish literal infringement of a dependent claim, the patent owner must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the accused product or method includes each and every element of the dependent claim and any claims from which it depends.

If an independent claim, to which a dependent claim refers, is not literally infringed, then the dependent claim is not literally infringed.

Anticipation

One of the requirements for a valid patent is that the invention defined in the claims must be new. This is known as the requirement of novelty. Something that shows that claimed subject matter is not new or novel is called anticipation. There are several categories of events, all defined by the patent laws, that can anticipate and invalidate a patent.

Prior art in the form of a patent, a printed publication, or a device anticipates a claim if it discloses the claimed subject matter sufficiently that a person of ordinary skill in the art could take its teachings together with his own knowledge of the art and be in possession of the claimed invention. To establish that anticipation exists, an accused infringer must show that each of the elements recited in the claim was disclosed or embodied in the particular item claimed to be anticipation. If every element of the claimed invention is shown to be present in the prior patent, printed publication or device, the patent claim is anticipated.

There is no anticipation unless every one of the elements of the claimed invention is found in a single prior patent, prior printed publication, or prior device publicly known or used. One may not combine two or more items of prior art to make out an anticipation. One should, however, take into consideration not only what is expressly disclosed or embodied in the particular prior patent, printed publication or device, but also what inherently occurred as a natural result of its practice. A party claiming inherency must prove it by clear and convincing evidence. It must show that what is said to anticipate inherently produces a product or process meeting all of the claim limitations. In determining whether or not every one of the elements of the claimed invention is found in the prior patent, printed publication or device, one should take into account what a person of ordinary skill in the art would have understood from his or her examination of the particular item that is said to be anticipation.

Prior Public Use and Sale

A patent claim is invalid if the invention defined by that claim was publicly used or on sale in the United States more than one year before the application was filed for the patent at issue. An accused infringer has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the invention defined by the claims of the patents were in public use or on sale more than one year before the filing date of the application resulting in those patents. An invention was "on sale," if the claimed invention was embodied in the thing offered for sale. It is not required that a sale was actually made. An offer of sale, solicitation of orders, promotional activities or advertisements can constitute being "on sale," even though no actual sale takes place. The essential question is whether or not there was an attempt to obtain a commercial benefit.

In order to be on sale, at the time of the offer for sale the invention must have been developed to the point of demonstrating that it would work for its intended purpose. It need not, however, be fully perfected or in commercial production. It is not necessary that there be a stock or inventory available for sale.

An invention was in "public use" if there was any non-secret use of the invention in its natural and intended way. A patent claim is invalid if the invention defined in that claim was in "public use" in the United States more than one year before the application was filed for the patent at issue. A "public use" may exist where the invention is used or exposed to anyone other than the inventor or a person under an obligation of secrecy to the inventor. "Public use" is the free and unrestricted giving over of an invention to a member of the public or the public in general. A public use which will invalidate a patent need not be an open, widespread use; it may be a single use by one user; it may be a use without profit; and it may be hidden from the public eye. The question is whether, in totality of the circumstances, the inventor had a reasonable expectation that his use of the invention was private.

An exception to the public use provision is made where the use is one which is substantially for purposes of experimentation. However, an experimental use must be conducted by the inventor or one under his supervision or control. A use by a third party without the supervision or control of the inventor is a public use even if it is experimental. One may also find that a use by patentee was a public use if it was not substantially for purposes of experimentation. In making that determination, one should consider all of the circumstances regarding the patentee's use including whether it informed its clients that the material was experimental, whether it obtained secrecy agreements from its clients, whether it charged its clients when the patentee used the material, whether the patentee maintained any records, and whether the material was used for its intended purpose and worked for that purpose.

If the accused has met its burden of proving "public use" with respect to a claim of a patent, or that the invention defined by that claim was on sale, that claim is invalid.

Obviousness -- Generally

To be patentable an invention must not have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the pertinent art at the time the invention was made. The issue is not whether the claimed invention would have been obvious to a layman, to a judge, or to a genius in the art, but whether it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the relevant field at the time it was made.

An asserted claim from a patent is invalid, even though not identically disclosed in a single prior art device or reference, if the subject matter of that claim would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field at the time the invention was made.

Before determining obviousness of the claimed invention, one must determine the following factual matters:
1. The scope and content of the prior art;
2. The difference or differences, if any, between each claim of the patents in issue and the prior art;
3. The level of ordinary skill in the art at the time the inventions of the patents were made.
Against this background of facts one will then make a conclusion regarding whether or not the claimed subject matter would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art of the relevant field at the time the alleged invention was made.

Scope and Content of Prior Art

Prior art is that which was described in the literature, including patents, textbooks, technical articles and printed advertisements, or that which was publicly known, or in public use or on sale in the United States before the invention was made or more than one year prior to the effective filing dates of the patent. Thus, prior art can come in many different forms. Prior art must be considered for everything it teaches, including what would have been obvious from those teachings to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field.

Level of Ordinary Skill

In reaching a determination as to whether or not the claimed subject matter was obvious, one should consider the level of ordinary skill in the art of the relevant field. When determining the level of ordinary skill in that field, one should consider all the evidence to show:
1. the levels of education and experience of persons working in the field;
2. the types of problems encountered in the field;
3. the prior art patents, publications and devices;
4. the activities of others;
5. prior art solutions to the problems addressed by the patents at issue; and
6. the sophistication of the technology.

When deciding the issue of obviousness, one must decide whether or not the invention would have been obvious to one having this ordinary level of skill in the relevant field.

Combining Teachings in Prior Art

In determining whether or not the claimed subject matter of the patents would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art, one must presume that person would have known about all of the relevant prior art. A combination of prior art cannot render an invention obvious unless every one of the elements of the claimed invention is disclosed in the prior art. In examining the prior art patents, publications and devices, one should take into account not only what they expressly disclose or do, but anything that inherently occurred as a result of practicing what was expressly disclosed in that prior art.

If one finds that a combination of items of the prior art showed each of the elements of the claims, one must determine whether or not it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant field to combine or coordinate these elements in the same manner as the claims of the patents. If one concludes that the prior art discloses all the elements of the claimed invention, but those elements are in separate items of prior art, one must then consider whether or not it would have been obvious to combine the elements. To answer this question "yes," one must determine that there was some suggestion or motivation in the prior art to combine the elements. The suggestion or motivation can be expressly stated in a particular prior art patent or publication, or it can be with the knowledge that was generally available to one of ordinary skill in the relevant field. So long as there is some motivation or suggestion to combine the references provided by the prior art taken as a whole they need not be combined for the reasons contemplated by the inventor. One must also consider that mankind, and in particular inventors, strive to improve what already exists. Thus, the motivation to combine the prior art may come from the nature of the problem to be solved, leading inventors to look to references relating to possible solutions to that problem. Prior art can be combined for purposes of establishing obviousness even if the features of one piece of prior art cannot be substituted physically into the structure of the other prior art item.

Commercial Success

One may also consider whether the inventions of patents have been commercially successful. However, there must be a connection between the evidence showing commercial success and the claims of the patent if one is to conclude that the claimed invention has been commercial success, and evidence of sale alone is not sufficient to find that the claimed invention has been a commercial success.

Enablement

Under the United States Patent Laws, a patent must disclose sufficient information to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention. This requirement is known as the enablement requirement.

To determine whether or not a patent is enabling, one must look to the time the application for that patent was filed. A patent is enabling if its disclosure is sufficient to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention. A patent need not disclose what is well known in the art to be enabling. In order to satisfy the enablement requirement, the specification must enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the claimed invention without undue experimentation. If by following the steps set forth in the patents, a person of ordinary skill in the art is not able to replicate the claimed invention without undue experimentation, the claim has not been enabled as required and it is invalid.

Willful Infringement

Where a potential infringer has actual notice of another's patent rights, he has an affirmative duty of due care not to infringe. To prove willfulness, a patentee must show that:
1. an infringer had actual knowledge of patents at issue; and
2. the infringer had no reasonable basis for believing (a) that its products and methods did not infringe the patents or (b) that the patents were invalid or not enforceable.

In making the determination as to willfulness, one must consider the totality of the circumstances. The totality of the circumstances comprises a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to whether the infringer intentionally copied the subject matter covered by the patents or developed the infringing products independently, whether the infringer exercised due care to avoid infringement, whether the infringer relied on competent legal advice, and whether at trial the infringer presents good faith defenses.

Inequitable Conduct

Every applicant for a patent has a duty of candor and good faith in dealing with the Patent Office and the Examiner handling his or her application. This duty of candor is important because the Examiner has only limited information available to determine the state of the art. The time available to the Examiner is also limited. Therefore, to prevent an applicant from obtaining a patent he does not deserve, the Patent Office requires full disclosure to the Patent Office of all information that is material -- in other words, important -- to an examination of the patent application.

This means that during the patent application process, the applicant and the lawyers involved with the application must not intentionally withhold or misrepresent material information concerning the alleged invention, as defined by the asserted claims. A breach of this duty is called inequitable conduct and renders the patent unenforceable.

To prove inequitable conduct, an accused must show, by clear and convincing evidence, that the patentee or the lawyers responsible for the applications that resulted in the patent withheld or misrepresented information that was material to the Examiner's evaluation of the patent application and did it with an intent to mislead or deceive the Patent Office Examiner.

Materiality

In evaluating an allegation that a patent applicant was guilty of inequitable conduct before the Patent and Trademark Office, one must first determine whether there was any withholding or misrepresentation of information and, if so, whether the information withheld or misrepresented was material. Information is not material if it is cumulative or adds little information to what the Examiner already knew. Information is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable Examiner would have considered it important in deciding whether to issue the patent-in-suit. Simply because the patent may have issued had the Examiner had the information before him does not mean the information is not material.

If the applicant or the attorneys responsible for the patent application did not withhold or misrepresent any material information, then there was no inequitable conduct. If, on the other hand, there was a withholding or misrepresentation of information and that the information was material, then one must consider the element of intent.

Intent

The accused must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the patentee or the lawyers responsible for the patent application withheld or misrepresented material information with the intent to mislead or deceive the Patent Office. Intent need not be proved directly because there is no way of scrutinizing the operations of the human mind. Therefore, one may infer intent from conduct or from acts substantially certain to accomplish a result, but one is not required to infer it. Any such inference depends upon the totality of the circumstances, including the nature and level of culpability of the conduct and the absence or presence of affirmative evidence of good faith. In considering evidence of good faith in failing to cite material information to the Examiner, the patentee must offer more than conclusory statements that the reference was cumulative of prior art already before the Examiner.

Balancing Materiality and Intent

As previously stated, one must determine whether the withheld information or misrepresentation satisfies a threshold level of materiality. One must also determine whether the conduct of the patentee or its lawyers satisfies a threshold showing of intent to mislead. If so, materiality and intent must be balanced.

The more material the withheld or misrepresented information is, the less stringent is the requirement to prove intent. In other words, withholding or misrepresenting a highly material piece of information requires a lower level of proven intent, thereby allowing you to find intent more easily. The converse is also true. In any event, one must balance these two factors to determine whether or not there is clear and convincing evidence both of the materiality and intent factors. If so, one should find that there was inequitable conduct.

Damages -- Generally

If accused products or methods infringe at least one of the asserted claims of the patents, and if such infringed claim are not invalid or unenforceable, the damages to be awarded for the infringement must be adequate to compensate the patentee for the infringement. The damage award should put the patentee in approximately the financial position they would have been in had the infringement not occurred; but in no event may the damage award be less than a reasonable royalty.

Reasonable Royalty -- Definition

A royalty is a payment made to the owner of a patent by a non-owner in exchange for rights to make, use or sell the claimed invention. A reasonable royalty is the sum of money which the owner of a patent would accept, who is desirous of licensing another to use his patent in return for a royalty, but who is not forced by financial need or other compulsion to do so; and the amount which a person would be willing to pay as royalty who is desirous to obtain a license to use the invention, but who is not compelled to do so. In other words, a reasonable royalty is the amount which the jury finds the two free and uncompelled and uncoerced bargainers would agree upon.

Reasonable Royalty -- Timing

Although the relevant date for the hypothetical reasonable royalty negotiation is the date just before the infringement began, one may consider in a determination of reasonable royalty events and facts that occurred after that time and that could not have been known or predicted by the hypothetical negotiations as of that date.

Reasonable Royalty -- Relevant Factors

In determining the value of a reasonable royalty, one may consider evidence on any of the following factors:
1. Any royalties received by the patentee for the licensing of the patents in suit, proving or tending to prove an established royalty.
2. The rates paid by the infringer to license other patents comparable to the patent in suit, if any.
3. The nature and scope of the license, as exclusive or non-exclusive; or as restricted in terms of territory or with respect to whom the manufactured product may be sold.
4. Any established policy and marketing program of the patentee to either maintain its right to exclude others from using the patented invention by not licensing others to use the invention, or by granting licenses under special conditions designed to preserve that exclusivity.
5. The commercial relationship between the licensor and the licensee, such as whether or not they are competitors in the same territory in the same line of business.
6. The effect of selling the patented product in promoting sales of other products of the licensee, the existing value of the invention to the licensor as a generator of sales of its non-patented items; and the extent of such collateral sales.
7. The duration of the patent.
8. The established profitability of the product made under the patent; its commercial success; and its current popularity.
9. The utility and advantages of the patented invention over the old modes or devices, if any, that had been used for achieving similar results.
10. The nature of the patented invention; the character of the commercial embodiment of it as owned and produced by the licensor; and the benefits to those who have used the invention.
11. The extent to which the accused party has made use of the invention; and any evidence that shows the value of that use.
12. The portion of the profit or of the selling price that may be customary in the particular business or in comparable businesses to allow for the use of the invention or analogous inventions.
13. The portion of the profit that arises from the patented invention itself as opposed to profit arising from features unrelated to the patented invention, such as the manufacturing process, business risks, or significant features or improvements added by the accused infringer.
14. The opinion testimony of qualified experts.
15. The amount that the patentee and the infringer would have agreed upon if both had been reasonably and voluntarily trying to reach an agreement, starting at the time the infringement began. In other words, the amount which a prudent licensee -- who desired, as a business proposition, to obtain a license to manufacture and sell a particular article embodying the patented invention -- would have been willing to pay as a royalty and yet be able to make a reasonable profit and which amount would have been acceptable by a prudent patentee who was willing to grant a license.
16. The relative bargaining positions of the patentee and the infringer.
17. Any other economic factors that normally prudent business persons would take into consideration under similar circumstances.

Exceptional Case

Treble damages and attorneys' fees may be awarded by the court in exceptional cases.  An "exceptional case" is simply one that stands out from others with respect to the substantive strength of a party’s litigation position (considering both the governing law and facts of the case) or the unreasonable manner in which the case was litigated.

PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS

Since June 8, 1995, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has offered inventors the option of filing a provisional application for patent which was designed to provide a lower-cost first patent filing in the United States. Applicants are entitled to claim the benefit of a provisional application in a corresponding non-provisional application filed not later than 12 months after the provisional application filing date. Under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), the corresponding non-provisional application would benefit in three ways: (1) patentability would be evaluated as though filed on the earlier provisional application filing date, (2) the resulting publication or patent would be treated as a reference under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as of the earlier provisional application filing date, and (3) the twenty-year patent term would be measured from the later non-provisional application filing date. Thus, domestic applicants are placed on equal footing with foreign applicants with respect to the patent term. Inventors may file U.S. provisional applications regardless of citizenship. Note that provisional applications cannot claim the benefit of a previously filed application, either foreign or domestic. Note also that 35 U.S.C. § 112 must be complied with as discussed in the paragraph below in order to receive the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).

The later-filed non-provisional application claiming the benefit of the provisional application must include at least one claim particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter, which the applicant regards as the invention. See 35 U.S.C. § 112, 2nd paragraph. Although a claim is not required in a provisional application, the written description and any drawing(s) of the provisional application must adequately support the subject matter claimed in the later-filed non-provisional application in order for the later-filed non-provisional application to benefit from the provisional application filing date. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the disclosure filed as the provisional application adequately provides a written description of the full scope of the subject matter regarded as the invention and desired to be claimed in the later filed non-provisional application. There is no requirement that the written description and any drawings filed in a provisional application and a later-filed non-provisional application be identical, however, the later-filed non-provisional application is only entitled to the benefit of the common subject matter disclosed in the corresponding non-provisional application filed not later than 12 months after the provisional application filing date. Additionally the specification shall disclose the manner and process of making and using the invention, in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to make and use the invention and set forth the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. See 35 U.S.C. § 112, 1st paragraph.

A provisional application for patent is a U. S. national application for patent filed in the USPTO under 35 U.S.C. § 111(b). It allows filing without a formal patent claim, oath or declaration, or any information disclosure (prior art) statement. It provides the means to establish an early effective filing date in a non-provisional patent application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a). It also allows the term "Patent Pending" to be applied.

A provisional application for patent (provisional application) has a pendency lasting 12 months from the date the provisional application is filed. The 12-month pendency period cannot be extended. Therefore, an applicant who files a provisional application must file a corresponding non-provisional application for patent (non-provisional application) during the 12-month pendency period of the provisional application in order to benefit from the earlier filing of the provisional application. In accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), the corresponding non-provisional application must contain or be amended to contain a specific reference to the provisional application.

Once a provisional application is filed, an alternative to filing a corresponding non-provisional application is to convert the provisional application to a non-provisional application by filing a grantable petition under 37 CFR § 1.53(c)(3) requesting such a conversion within 12 months of the provisional application filing date.

However, converting a provisional application to a non-provisional application (versus filing a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of the provisional application) will have a negative impact on patent term. The term of a patent issuing from a non-provisional application resulting from the conversion of a provisional application will be measured from the original filing date of the provisional application.

By filing a provisional application first, and then filing a corresponding non-provisional application that references the provisional application within the 12-month provisional application pendency period, a patent term endpoint may be extended by as much as 12 months.

PROVISIONAL APPLCIATION FOR PATENT FILING DATE REQUIREMENTS

The provisional application must be made in the name(s) of all of the inventor(s). It can be filed up to one year following the date of first sale, offer for sale, public use, or publication of the invention. (These pre-filing disclosures, although protected in the United States, may preclude patenting in foreign countries.)

A filing date will be accorded to a provisional application only when it contains:
· a written description of the invention, complying with all requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112 1; and
· any drawings necessary to understand the invention, complying with 35 U.S.C. §113.
If either of these items are missing or incomplete, no filing date will be accorded to the provisional application.

To be complete, a provisional application must also include the filing fee and a cover sheet identifying:
· the application as a provisional application for patent;
· the name(s) of all inventors;
· inventor residence(s);
· title of the invention;
· name and registration number of attorney or agent and docket number (if applicable);
· correspondence address; and
· any US Government agency that has a property interest in the application.

This information is general in nature and is not meant to substitute for advice provided by a patent practitioner. Applicants unfamiliar with the requirements of US patent law and procedures should consult an attorney or agent registered to practice before the USPTO.

CAUTIONS

· Provisional applications are not examined on their merits.
· The benefits of the provisional application cannot be claimed if the one-year deadline for filing a non-provisional application has expired.
· Provisional applications cannot claim the benefit of a previously-filed application, either foreign or domestic.
· It is recommended that the disclosure of the invention in the provisional application be as complete as possible. In order to obtain the benefit of the filing date of a provisional application the claimed subject matter in the later filed non-provisional application must have support in the provisional application.
· If there are multiple inventors, each inventor must be named in the application.
· The inventor(s) named in the provisional application must have made a contribution to the invention as described. If multiple inventors are named, each inventor named must have made a contribution individually or jointly to the subject matter disclosed in the application.
· The non-provisional application must have one inventor in common with the inventor(s) named in the provisional application to claim benefit of the provisional application filing date.
· A provisional application must be entitled to a filing date and include the basic filing fee in order for a non-provisional application to claim benefit of that provisional application.
· There is a surcharge for filing the basic filing fee or the cover sheet on a date later than filing the provisional application.
· Provisional applications for patent may not be filed for design inventions.
· Amendments are not permitted in provisional applications after filing, other than those to make the provisional application comply with applicable regulations.
· No information disclosure statement may be filed in a provisional application.
· A provisional application cannot result in a U. S. patent unless one of the following two events occur within 12 months of the provisional application filing date:
1. a corresponding non-provisional application for patent entitled to a filing date is filed that claims the benefit of the earlier filed provisional application; or
2. a grantable petition under 37 CFR 1.53(c)(3) to convert the provisional application into a non-provisional application is filed.

FEATURES

· provides simplified filing with a lower initial investment with one full year to assess the invention's commercial potential before committing to the higher cost of filing and prosecuting a non-provisional application for patent;
· establishes an official United States patent application filing date for the invention;
· permits one year's authorization to use "Patent Pending" notice in connection with the invention;
· begins the Paris Convention priority year;
· enables immediate commercial promotion of the invention with greater security against having the invention stolen;
· preserves application in confidence without publication in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 122(b), effective November 29, 2000;
· permits applicant to obtain USPTO certified copies;
· allows for the filing of multiple provisional applications for patent and for consolidating them in a single §111(a) non-provisional application for patent;
· provides for submission of additional inventor names by petition if omission occurred without deceptive intent (deletions are also possible by petition).

WARNINGS

A provisional application automatically becomes abandoned when its pendency expires 12 months after the provisional application filing date by operation of law. Applicants must file a non-provisional application claiming benefit of the earlier provisional application filing date in the USPTO before the provisional application pendency period expires in order to preserve any benefit from the provisional-application filing.

Beware that an applicant whose invention is "in use" or "on sale" (see 35 U.S.C. §102(b)) in the United States during the one-year provisional-application pendency period may lose more than the benefit of the provisional application filing date if the one-year provisional-application pendency period expires before a corresponding non-provisional application is filed. Such an applicant may also lose the right to ever patent the invention (see 35 U.S.C. §102(b)).

Effective November 29, 2000, a claim under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) for the benefit of a prior provisional application must be filed during the pendency of the non-provisional application, and within four months of the non-provisional application filing date or within sixteen months of the provisional application filing date (whichever is later). See 37 CFR 1.78 as amended effective November 29, 2000.

Independent inventors should fully understand that a provisional application will not mature into a granted patent without further submissions by the inventor. Some invention promotion firms misuse the provisional application process leaving the inventor with no patent.