Intellectual Property
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP provides the full complement of intellectual property law services.
Intellectual Property is the intangible capital of companies seeking a competitive edge. The Smith, Gambrell and Russell Intellectual Property Department interacts with and supports the other firm Departments to provide a full complement of intellectual property law services for our clients looking for that edge. Within the Intellectual Property Department most of the attorneys belong to more than one of the listed IP practice groups and all of the attorneys have the resources and access to the common base of knowledge possessed at Smith, Gambrell & Russell to handle any IP matter for our clients.
Patent Prosecution
Traditionally, the core of an intellectual property law firm was its patent prosecution practice through which it assisted clients with obtaining patent protection. 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. SGR's strong patent prosecution core originates from the highly regarded international boutique IP firm of Beveridge, Degrandi, Weilacher and Young that merged into SGR in 1999. The patent attorneys who routinely prepare and file patent applications in both the Washington and Atlanta offices draw on SGR's wealth of experience and technical expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and 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 and sustainability technology initiatives, and work with inventors and companies who are leading the way in these fast paced technologies. The patent prosecution group of SGR also regularly participates in various U.S. Patent and Trademark Office pilot programs. SGR's patent attorneys serve clients from all over the world and help secure patent protection in the United States and other countries. Mike Makuch, Dale Lischer, Dennis Rodgers and Suzannah Sundby are the practice leaders of patent prosecution in SGR's Intellectual Property Department.
Trademark Prosecution
The businesses that flourish the most have "made a name for themselves." At Smith, Gambrell & Russell, our name has been on the line for over one hundred years helping protect the reputation and good will in our client's names, trademarks and service marks. As a part of that protection process we advise on the availability of trademarks and service marks, on the availability and change of corporate identities. We prosecute the applications to register trademark and service marks for our clients. Rodgers Lunsford, Kate Rowe, and Scott Woldow are the practice leaders in the areas of Trademark law.
Litigation
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. Rodgers Lunsford, Dale Lischer, Joyce Klemmer, and Elizabeth Borland are the practice group leaders who organize and supervise the intellectual property litigation teams for our clients. In the area of copyright, we are counsel to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Joyce Klemmer has represented ASCAP and its members in numerous copyright infringement suits brought in Georgia.
SYNERGY
One of the strengths of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is the ability to draw upon the expertise of all of the Firm's various attorneys in order to respond to the particular needs of our clients. The Intellectual Property Department works closely with attorneys who practice in the firm's International Section in drafting license agreements for the international use of technology and computer software, with attorneys in the Corporate Sections in drafting complex asset purchase agreements that involve assignment documents to transfer ownership and record title of patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information and with the members of the Antitrust and Trade Regulation Group on intellectual property litigation when such litigation involves antitrust issues. Within the Intellectual Property Department, we recognize that we all bring different skills to the effort and that the sum of our contributions is greater than our individual talents could ever be.
The Intellectual Property Department 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 patentability search to or searching the availability and registerability of a trademark or service mark, to the preparation of applications and the prosecution of those applications to conclusion and the negotiation and consummation of license and assignment agreements, our attorneys lead our clients to the best course of action. The attorneys in the Intellectual Property Department work closely with clients while drafting their license, employment, and confidentiality agreements, preparing and prosecuting their patent and trademark applications, and monitoring unauthorized uses of their intellectual property. The attorneys in the Intellectual Property Department also provide guidance on copyright registration and enforcement and the protection of trade secrets. As part of the individualized attention we provide, attorneys in the Intellectual Property Department provide individualized guidance on the procurement, maintenance and enforcement of our clients' valuable intellectual property. We look forward to working with you to give your business the increased value that high-quality intellectual property counsel can provide.
