RatnerPrestia

RatnerPrestia Welcomes Michael P.F. Phelps to its Washington D.C. Office

RatnerPrestia — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:52:44 +0000

RatnerPrestia is pleased to announce that Michael P.F. Phelps has joined the Washington, D.C. office as Counsel practicing in both intellectual property litigation and patent prosecution.

Phelps is an experienced counselor in all aspects of patent law, including freedom-to-operate studies, patent prosecution, litigation and licensing. He works closely with client executives, in-house counsel and inventors to develop personalized, market-oriented patent clearance and prosecution programs, as well as conducts client education programs to develop awareness of patent laws throughout relevant client infrastructure. Phelps has represented clients in numerous post-grant patent validity challenges, including inter partes and ex parte reexamination proceedings in the US and post-grant proceedings in Europe.

Phelps earned his J.D. degree in 2000 from Washington and Lee University School of Law and received his B.S degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1993.

RatnerPrestia Leaders Travel Overseas to Build on International Partnerships

RatnerPrestia — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:30:41 +0000

Jonathan H. Spadt speaks at the Overseas Intellectual Property Enforcement Seminar in Shanghai

Paul F. Prestia, co-founder of RatnerPrestia, Jonathan H. Spadt, President and CEO, and Counsel Ling Zhong, Ph.D., recently traveled to China to lecture at various seminars and to visit with many of the firm’s international clients.

Prestia, the leader of the firm’s China Initiative, provided a presentation in Beijing titled: IP Strategies for Chinese Enterprises Going Abroad, based on actual U.S. IP litigation cases and their outcomes. Zhong initiated her visit with attending the AIPPI China/Asia IP Seminar in Beijing. She then delivered several other lectures at various Chinese law firms and companies on U.S. Patent Strategies and Protection for Chinese Enterprises and Recent U.S. Case Law Developments. Zhong also spoke on the Impact of the America Invents Act (AIA).

Spadt began his travels by speaking at the Overseas Intellectual Property Enforcement Seminar at the Lung Tin Conference in Shanghai. He addressed such topics as intellectual property enforcement in both the executive and judicial forums, as well as best practices against infringement accusations. He then traveled to many parts of Germany including Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt, and after several client visits and meetings he culminated his international traveling in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, Spadt participated in a policy workshop on Capitol Hill directed to bridging the transatlantic divide in intellectual property. The workshop included the participation of members of the European Parliament, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the Deputy Director General for Innovation and Technology at the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The final event of his trip included his attendance at the INTA conference in D.C. where he joined several of RatnerPrestia’s international and domestic clients.

Board Rules in favor of API Cryptek, Inc. vs. Rubicon Communications

RatnerPrestia — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:50:16 +0000

RatnerPrestia attorneys led by shareholder Benjamin Leace successfully defended API Cryptek and it’s NETGARD trademark in an Opposition proceeding brought by Rubicon Communications. The Trademark Trial and Appeals Board issued a decision in favor of API Cryptek, finding no likelihood of confusion between the parties NETGARD and NETGATE trademarks.

RatnerPrestia’s practice is devoted exclusively to intellectual property law. With extensive and diverse legal, technical and corporate backgrounds, its professionals provide practical, cost-effective, business-oriented counseling to a wide range of international and domestic clients. It also represents clients in essentially all courts and patent and trademark offices. RatnerPrestia is a full service IP firm with a 30 year proven track record of success. For additional information, visit www.RatnerPrestia.com.

RatnerPrestia Named Advisor To China Enterprise Confederation’s Certified IP Manager Training Program

RatnerPrestia — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:47:54 +0000

The Enterprise Management Certification & Training Office of China Enterprise Confederation (CEC) has named RatnerPrestia’s Co-founder and Senior Counselor Mr. Paul Prestia to the Advisory Committee of its new Certified Intellectual Property Manager training program.

The goal of the program, which begins on April 21 in Beijing, is to cultivate highly talented intellectual property (IP) management professionals who will play a pivotal role in China’s intellectual property management, promotion and execution. As part of the training program, on April 25, Mr. Prestia will present a guest lecture on best practices to reduce IP litigation risks, illustrated by case studies based on recent US court decisions. Successful graduates of the program will be certified by CEC as professional IP Managers. The CEC plans to repeat the program on a periodic basis.

RatnerPrestia’s Strategic Partner, China International Intellectual Property Services (CIIPS) has collaborated with the CEC in planning the new program. Its Vice President, as well as RatnerPrestia’s Chinese Business Representative, Dr. Yue (Matthew) Ma co-edited a new book on best practices in IP management that will be the primary course material for the program. Mr. Prestia and several other RatnerPrestia attorneys also contributed to the book.

According to Mr. Prestia, his role on the Advisory Committee will be to help monitor the quality of training and advise on the contents of the program so that the program tracks the latest developments in international intellectual property law and practices. Since turning over the leadership role at RatnerPrestia to Mr. Jonathan Spadt, Mr. Prestia has focused his efforts on developing RatnerPrestia’s business relationships in China. Working with the CEC’s Advisory Committee will be part of those efforts.

CEC (www.cec-ceda.org.cn/engish/) is a government-sponsored confederation of Chinese business organizations and enterprises, many of whom are engaged in businesses involving intellectual property. It assists entrepreneurs, promotes the sound development of enterprises, serves as a link between the government and those enterprises and represents them in the international community.

RatnerPrestia Shareholder and Associate Take Part in Patent Law Panel Discussion at Drexel University

RatnerPrestia — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:58:14 +0000

RatnerPrestia Shareholder Kenneth Nigon, was a panelist, and RatnerPrestia Associate, Christopher Blaszkowski, moderated a recent panel discussion held at the Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law on April 2.

The topics discussed were the America Invents Act and the Supreme Court’s recent Mayo v. Prometheus decision.

RatnerPrestia Shareholder, Rex Donnelly, Presents at Philly Ad Club Workshop

RatnerPrestia — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:56:12 +0000

Rex Donnelly, Managing Shareholder of RatnerPrestia’s Wilmington, Delaware office, presented at the Philly Ad Club Workshop held in Delaware on March 28, 2012.

Mr. Donnelly’s presentation — titled “Intellectual Property: What it is and How to Protect It!” – covered the basics of Intellectual Property relevant to the field of advertising, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, domain names, and false advertising.

Jonathan H. Spadt, President and CEO of RatnerPrestia, to Speak During Conference in Shanghai

RatnerPrestia — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:54:21 +0000

Jonathan H. Spadt, President and CEO of RatnerPrestia, will be speaking during the Overseas Intellectual Property Enforcement Conference in Shanghai on April 17. Mr. Spadt will be covering intellectual property enforcement in both the executive and judicial forums, with an emphasis on U.S. Federal District Court and International Trade Commission remedies.

His remarks will address the legal framework, enforcement procedures, and best practices against infringement accusations using these jurisdictions, as well as tools provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. On this conference, Spadt notes that, “In today’s global market, efficient and effective use of a company’s IP almost always includes a comprehensive strategy using more than one of these forums simultaneously. Proper strategic planning and management of business objectives throughout the process is essential to success.” His speech in Shanghai is just the first stop of a 28 day international tour consisting of client visits, lectures, and seminars in China and Germany, culminating in Washington, D.C. at a meeting of the Federal Circuit Bar Association and the Transatlantic Policy Network on Capitol Hill.

Jonathan H. Spadt, CEO of RatnerPrestia, to speak during April 3 Patentability Subcommittee Teleconference

RatnerPrestia — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:41:25 +0000

Jonathan H. Spadt, CEO of RatnerPrestia, and member of the Patentability Subcommittee of AIPLA will be discussing the reasoning of Justice Breyer’s opinion in Prometheus during the teleconference on April 3. This is the second teleconference on the patent eligibility of medical method patent claims involving a law of nature, specifically focusing on Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. of March 20, 2012.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently unanimously held that claims on methods of determining whether drug dosing levels should be increased or decreased based on levels of a metabolite in a patient’s bloodstream were not patent-eligible. Jonathan will focus on the reasoning set forth by the Court and what it may mean for the future of personalized medicine.

Paul F. Prestia Selected for this Year’s Distinguished Service Medal by the Linn Inn Alliance

RatnerPrestia — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:03:40 +0000

RatnerPrestia co-founder, Paul F. Prestia, was one of six recipients selected for this year’s Distinguished Service Medal by the prestigious Linn Inn Alliance. Prestia was presented the Medal at the NYIPLA Judges’ Dinner on March 23 at the Herbert Hoover Suite of the Waldorf Astoria. The Medal recognizes Prestia for his contributions to the continuing success of the Linn Inn Alliance.

The Linn Inn Alliance facilitates the development of new IP-focused Inns and as a channel for the sharing of meeting and program information. The Linn Inn Alliance is also responsible for the enhancement of the Inns of Court experience among all of the 16 intellectual property law American Inns of Court around the country. Prestia has been instrumental in the development of RatnerPrestia as an internationally recognized intellectual property law firm, which is highly regarded for its technical skills and professionalism. Thirty years after co-founding and leading the firm, he transitioned in 2011 to his current position as Senior Counselor and Strategic Adviser.

RatnerPrestia Welcomes New Associate, Richard A. Howe II to its Valley Forge, PA Office

RatnerPrestia — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:22:52 +0000

RatnerPrestia is pleased to announce the addition of Richard A. Howe II to its Valley Forge, PA office. Mr. Howe recently completed his clerkship in the Civil Division of the Delaware Department of Justice (DOJ). While at the DOJ, he wrote Summary Judgment motions submitted in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and deposed witnesses for District Court cases. Prior to his time at the DOJ, Mr. Howe clerked for The Honorable Michael J. Kassel, J.S.C. of New Jersey.

In 2009, Mr. Howe obtained his Juris Doctor degree and Master of Business Administration degree, magna cum laude, from Rutgers University – Camden. While at Rutgers Law School, he excelled in Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law courses, and enhanced his trial skills through Pretrial and Trial Advocacy courses. Upon graduation, he received the Pro Bono Publico Award for his significant service to the community.