The Intellectual Property Group has what it takes to guide clients through the intricacies of not only the domestic but also the international patent, trademark and copyright systems.

From the initial step of conducting a search of Patent and Trademark Office records to determining the patentability of inventions or the availability and registerability of a trademark or service mark to the preparation of applications and the prosecution of those applications to conclusion, through the negotiation and consummation of license and assignment agreements our attorneys can lead our clients to the best course of action. Because the rights being protected in these processes belong to our clients, our attorneys expect to have a close working relationship with our clients. As part of the individualized attention, we provide our clients, attorneys in the Intellectual Property Group provide guidance on the maintenance of patents, assist with the maintenance of trademark and service mark registrations, the monitoring of unauthorized patent, trademark and copyright usages and provide continuing counsel as to proper trademark usage and infringement avoidance, as well drafting employment and confidentiality agreements. We look forward to working with you to give your business the increased value that high-quality intellectual property counsel can provide.

Patent Prosecution

Traditionally, the core of an Intellectual Property Law firm was its patent prosecution practice through which the firm assisted its clients with obtaining patents issued by the United States Patent Office. Today, Smith, Gambrell & Russell remains true to that traditional core with a strong patent prosecution group whose collective experience is measured in centuries rather than decades. Many of our clients know that the highly regarded international boutique IP firm of Beveridge, Degrandi, Weilacher, and Young merged into SGR in 1999. The attorneys who routinely prepare and file patent applications in both the Washington and Atlanta offices draw on the firm’s wealth of experience and their technical backgrounds in biochemistry, computer science, physics, and the disciplines of mechanical, electrical, chemical and biomedical engineering.

Within the patent prosecution group, our attorneys service not only clients among the traditional leaders and innovators in industry but are also actively engaged in biotechnology, the life sciences, and sustainability technology initiatives, working with inventors and companies who are staying abreast or leading the way in the fast-paced developments in these fields.

SGR’s patent prosecutor’s service clients from all over the globe in pursuing patents issued by the United States and cooperate with attorneys internationally to secure patents in other countries.

Patent Dispute Resolution

The ownership of a competitive advantage carries with it the right to exercise that advantage through litigation. Accordingly, the very nature of intellectual property requires that it be respected or enforced. We litigate intellectual property and unfair competition disputes, including internet domain name disputes, in administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. In trying these cases, we frequently litigate related claims arising under federal and state laws. We have represented both owners and accused infringers in infringement cases and in unfair competition and trade secret litigation. We have also prosecuted and defended cases involving the enforceability of employee secrecy agreements and non-competition agreements.

Winning a judgment isn’t the end of the matter, and we have successfully represented our clients in the appellate courts at the state and federal levels. In the area of copyright, we are counsel to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).