The Wolff & Samson Patent Group conducts patent searches to determine whether inventions may be patentable. We also conduct patent infringement and validity searches and render advice to our clients based on these searches. We have experience counseling clients on avoiding the patent rights of others, while devising strategies to protect our clients’
rights to their inventions.
Wolff & Samson has extensive experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the mechanical, electrical and biotechnology fields. We assist clients in building patent portfolios in the U.S. and in other countries throughout the world. We represent both large and small businesses, as well as universities. We represent a number of start-up businesses and have obtained patent protection on inventions that have formed the basis of successful business ventures. Keeping our clients’ budgets and priorities in mind, we have successfully pursued prosecution strategies including filing continuation applications and conducting examiner interviews to obtain allowable claims. We have also successfully handled appeals of final Patent Office decisions to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.
Wolff & Samson conducts and evaluates trademark searches to determine whether marks are available for use and registration by our clients. We are often called upon to investigate potential problems and to negotiate and/or otherwise take action on our clients’ behalf in order to secure rights that would otherwise be in question.
Wolff & Samson’s trademark practitioners have filed over a thousand United States Trademark Applications. We now file and prosecute most applications electronically, which maximizes efficiency and minimizes costs. We have substantial experience in all aspects of trademark prosecution and have been successful in overcoming refusals. The Wolff & Samson Trademark Practice Group works closely with foreign firms in countries throughout the world to manage and coordinate our clients’ worldwide trademark portfolios.
Wolff & Samson has successfully litigated patent and trademark matters in federal courts throughout the United States. We have sought and obtained preliminary and permanent injunctive relief for our clients. We are continuously called upon to help resolve trademark disputes before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well as other tribunals such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”). Our overriding goal is to favorably resolve disputes in the most cost-effective manner. We take pride in our ability to develop creative settlements to favorably resolve cases.
Some of our trademark litigation successes include:
- Obtained preliminary and permanent injunctions in trademark cases on behalf of athletic footwear manufacturers against major competitors in federal courts throughout the United States.
- Prevailed on summary judgment in the Central District of California which enabled a musical group to continue to use its name and maintain its federal trademark registrations.
- Obtained injunctive relief under the Lanham and Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act on behalf of a medical group in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
- Successfully attacked venue in a case brought against our client in another state, leading to dismissal and settlement of the matter.
- Prevailed in numerous, contested Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Proceedings before WIPO.
- Successful resolution of numerous Oppositions and Cancellations before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
- Successful stay of litigation to have the Patent Office re-examine a patent asserted against our client.
- Successful use of contempt proceedings to stop infringers that have continued to infringe after entry of an injunction.
We advise clients with respect to copyright matters including assisting them to register copyrights with the United States Copyright Office. We have experience protecting software and other creative works. We have also represented our clients in copyright actions in federal court.
The Wolff & Samson Intellectual Property Practice Group works closely with the firm’s Corporate Department, handling the intellectual property related aspects of many varied business transactions. We also handle many intellectual property-specific transactions, including licensing agreements, assignments, consent and co-existence agreements, as well as domain name transfer agreements.
