Overview
Creating and implementing a patent strategy can be daunting. Patents often provide a company's most powerful competitive advantage, protecting current and future revenue streams. However, innovative companies do face competitors and nonpracticing entities with their own patents, which are often of dubious validity or scope. Whether you are inventing or facing patent risk, Katten's counsel covers both patent offense and patent defense.
Protecting the business value of patents
We have protected clients' innovations and investments in scores of trials and complex transactions, and have even shaped patent law. We also navigate clients through the "patent minefield," assessing risk and challenging patents in court or at the US Patent and Trademark Office when necessary.
Patent owners don't enter litigation lightly, nor do we. To mitigate the uncertainty of lawsuits, we help clients understand what to expect. Our strategies begin with evaluating your business case for protecting disputed patents. We represent multinational and midsize companies, startups, research institutions, and universities with patent and IP protections covering:
- Biotechnology
- Consumer electronics
- Financial services
- Mechanical devices
- Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
- Software and technology
- Telecommunications
Navigating the patent landscape
Helping clients approach major initiatives strategically is a value-add focus. At the early stage of a project — prior to their commitment to a significant investment — clients often ask for guidance. We answer questions on what type of IP could support the investment. We assess potential risks for the short and long term, and we suggest solutions to mitigate areas of exposure. Katten's experience shapes the practical answers we provide to these informal "what if" questions as we protect you across the complex patent landscape.
Making your best case from the start
Katten's mastery of technical subjects and trial arts helps your competitive edge endure. Our patent litigators pinpoint the right legal issues. We develop narratives that persuade judges, juries and adjudicators nationwide and internationally.
Building credibility before the court is critical. To make your best case, we may bring in expert witnesses early on, and include nontechnical team members. Their diverse perspectives crystallize arguments and elevate defenses. When multidefendant and concurrent patent challenges arise, we leverage the advantages of domestic and international forums to assert clients' rights in issues involving:
- Hatch-Waxman Act
- Inter partes and post-grant reviews
- Markman hearings
- Patent infringement and invalidity
Reducing litigation risks
Experience in trial and appellate courts nationwide, including Illinois, New Jersey and Delaware, and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and International Trade Commission, allow us to anticipate budgets at every stage of litigation. To address the impact of litigation on your operations and culture, we communicate clearly and frequently to allay concerns throughout your organization. Katten patent attorneys also add value to transactional due diligence, portfolio valuation and development, and litigation assessments.
Experience
Insights
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Publication | October 2024
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News | July 3, 2024
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News | June 6, 2024
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News | June 5, 2024
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Event | April 25-26, 2024