Experience
Patent Preparation and Prosecution
Our firm works with a large company in the medical device industry in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications related to numerous technologies in its IP portfolio.
Quality Service. Quality Relationships.
For the past 15 years, Dinsmore has been the acting patent counsel for RELX Group, while also advising the company’s outside counsel in patent matters. In addition, we advise on general intellectual property (IP) and labor matters.
“There are three reasons we continue working with Dinsmore,” said Kenneth Thompson II, General Counsel at RELX Group. “The quality of legal work is outstanding; the relationships we’ve developed with the IP group makes it feel like they’re part of my internal team, and relationships are very important to me; and frankly, it’s the same quality of legal advice and relationships at a discounted fee structure compared with global markets.”
RELX, which employs roughly 30,000 people, was founded in 1993 and based in London, UK. The company sells information-driven services and solutions to scientists, lawyers, teachers and business professionals.
“It’s exciting for me as general counsel based in Southwest Ohio for a global company to work with resources also headquartered in Southwest Ohio,” added Thompson. “The depth of our relationship is something that can’t be replaced. I hold the firm and the people in high regard.”
Throughout our history together, we’ve been able to solidify the company’s global patent program, establish processes and procedures for outside counsel and obtain wins on IP cases involving trolls.
Counseled our Client on Export Control Concerning Multiple Research Projects
We provided advice on export control classifications for over 100 research projects for a large company in the automotive industry. We provided guidance on export control provisions in licensing and technology transfer agreements.
Ohio Willow Wood v. Alps South
John Luken served as lead appellate counsel for The Ohio Willow Wood Company (OWW), a manufacturer of prosthetic products, which came to Dinsmore after it had lost an infringement trial against a competitor, been enjoined from selling new products, held in contempt of the injunction, and ordered to pay nearly $20 million in damages to its chief competitor.
On behalf of OWW, Mr. Luken and the Dinsmore appellate team successfully obtained a stay of the contempt order from the Federal Circuit, which allowed OWW to begin selling its products again. After briefing and argument, the Federal Circuit reversed the lower court’s judgment and dismissed the complaint for lack of standing, thereby overturning the judgment against OWW. Mr. Luken also successfully opposed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc.
Helping the Cincinnati Reds Protect Its Brand Integrity
The name of the game
Dinsmore provides Reds trademark protection
From the regal, stark-white “C” against a red background to the distinctive handlebar mustache of Mr. Redlegs, the Cincinnati Reds own a number of unique brands, labels and mascots that contribute to its status as one of Major League Baseball’s most popular teams. Marketing and brand recognition play an integral role in the growth and success of any professional sports franchise and the Reds trust Dinsmore to protect an important part of its identity.
Leveraging extensive trademark experience and a thorough understanding of MLB licensing regulations, Dinsmore attorneys work to support the Reds proactive approach to merchandising, licensing and broadcasting. Dinsmore is adept at searching federal, state and local registries, as well as performing availability and clearance searches, to help the Reds aggressively promote and expand its brands without exposing the Club to unnecessary risk. Conversely, Dinsmore also helps the Reds protect its brand integrity by ensuring that merchandise and broadcasting rights are registered and cleared through the proper channels. Should unauthorized use of the team name or marks be detected, Dinsmore also serves as local enforcement counsel.
Protecting the brands of a team that simultaneously competes against and cooperates with other clubs under MLB marketing and licensing ventures is challenging. Through collaboration with MLB officials on league-wide licensing matters, Dinsmore is able to shepherd the Reds through the trademark registration process in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Whether it’s clearing new uniform designs, acquiring domain names or safeguarding fan-favorite mascots, Dinsmore works hand-in-hand with the Reds to strengthen and grow its brands. Marketing and merchandising revenue are vital to driving future club revenue and Dinsmore is committed to searching, clearing, registering and protecting the marks fans identify as uniquely Reds.
IP Licensing/Agreement Experience
Our attorneys have drafted a wide variety of agreements for clients to help them protect their intellectual property. Since 2011, we have drafted more than 575 total agreements, which can be broken down as follows:
Development Agreements (70)
- Independent Contractor Agreements (15)
- Talent Agreements (15)
- Presenter Agreements and Content Provider Agreements (10)
- Joint Ownership Agreements (10)
- Production Agreements (10)
- Employee Invention Policy and Agreements (5)
- Joint Development Agreements (5)
Litigation-related/Dispute Agreements (55)
- Pre-Litigation Settlement Agreements (15)
- Trademark Trial & Appeal Board Settlements (15)
- Co-Existence Agreements (10)
- Litigation Settlement Agreements – Patent Disputes (5)
- Litigation Settlement Agreements – Trademark Disputes (5)
- Joint Defense Agreements (5)
License Agreements (155)
- Software License Agreements (35)
- Patent License Agreements (35)
- Trademark License Agreements (20)
- End User License Agreements (15)
- Subscription Agreements (10)
- Software as a Service (SaaS Agreements (10)
- Channel Partner Agreements (10)
- Pilot Agreements (10)
- Copyright License Agreements (5)
- OEM License Agreements (5)
IT-related Agreements (170)
- Terms of Use and Privacy Policy (35)
- Healthcare-related IT Agreements (30)
- Software IT Agreements (25)
- Hardware IT Agreements (25)
- Master Client/Service Agreements (25)
- Support and Maintenance IT Agreements (15)
- Reseller Agreements (15)
Research Agreements (55)
- Advanced Research Agreements (25)
- Materials Transfer (20)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (10)
Misc. Agreements (55)
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (25)
- Participant Agreements (10)
- Exclusive Sales Representation Agreements (5)
- Termination Agreements (5)
- Domain Purchase Agreements (5)
- Domain Escrow Agreements (5)
NPE Experience
We have defended clients in challenges to their patents from a wide variety of NPEs. Several representative examples of patents we have defended are below:
- Cascades Publishing Innovation, LLC: U.S. Patent 8386484
- Data Speed Technology LLC: US Patent 5,867,686 – High speed real-time information storage system
- eTagz: US Patent 7,503,502 – Computer readable hang tag and product
- eTagz: US Patent 7,703,686 – Consumer computer-readable product label apparatus and method
- eTagz: US Patent 6,298,332 – CD-Rom product label apparatus and method
- eWatch: US Patent 6,970,183 – Multimedia surveillance and monitoring system including network configuration
- Helfrich Patent Licensing: Various US Patents related to mobile device technology
- Honeywell International, Inc.: Various US Patents related to bar code and QR code technology
- Infinite Data, LLC: US Patent 5,790,530 – Message passing multiprocessor system)
- Innovatio IP Ventures: Various US Patents related to local area network radio frequencies and multiple channel wireless access
- Lemolson Foundation: Various US Patents relating to bar code technologies
- Lodsys: US Patent 7,222,078 – Interactive applications (smartphone apps)
- Mobile Logistics: Various US Patents related to transportation yard management systems
- MPHJ (formerly Project Paperless): Various US Patents related to computer architecture and document management
- Pragmatus Telecom, LLC: US Patent 6,322,231 – Method and system for coordinating data and voice communications via customer contract channel changing system using voiceover IP)
- Round Rock: Various US Patents related to radio frequency identification
- TPQ Development LLC: US Patent 5,412,730 – Encrypted data transmission system employing means for randomly altering the encryption keys)
- US Ethernet Innovations: Various US Patents related to Ethernet connections and point of sale
- Wireless Media: Various US Patents related to transportation yard management systems
- You Technology, Inc.: Various US Patents related to biometric technology
Daws Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Dee Zee, Inc.
Patent Applications
Patent Infringement Litigation
Patent Infringement Litigation
Patent Preparation and Prosecution
Patent Preparation and Prosecution
Protecting New Corporate Identity and Innovative R&D
Innovation is the driving force behind the growth and sustainability of any business, especially one within a specialized industry. Growing your brand and reputation, as well as protecting your ideas, is an ongoing challenge that requires a thorough understanding of not only the law, but also the industry and the marketplace.
As a former subsidiary of BP Company North America, Tri-Arrows Aluminum faced plenty of challenges in building and safeguarding their new identity after being purchased by a consortium of five Japanese companies in 2011. Following the sale, they turned to Dinsmore, who assumed responsibility for managing existing patent applications and prosecution through the U.S. Patent Office. We have also teamed with Tri-Arrows to begin trademark efforts, working with the U.S. Trademark Office to establish and protect their name and brand in the marketplace. Our attorneys have worked exhaustively to learn the aluminum industry, including the market, price points and competition, in order to strategically place Tri-Arrows on a path to long-term success.
Beyond patents and trademarks, we also have steered Tri-Arrows through a number of research and development agreements, protecting their exploration into ventures that have the potential to impact the aluminum industry. Tri-Arrows’ forward-thinking mentality, combined with Dinsmore’s support and guidance, has enabled them to focus their R&D efforts on both the materials used and the processes employed as they search for competitive advantages.
Working in an industry where significant steps are sometimes hard to come by, Tri-Arrows has employed an aggressive mindset toward protecting their technology and intellectual property, knowing that any competitive advantage could be the determining factor in their success. Dinsmore has become a true partner of Tri-Arrows in this effort, building a level of trust that has paved the way for their continued growth.
Representative IP Litigation Cases
Cirrex Systems, LLC v. Ocean Optics, Inc., 1:12-cv-1769 (ND GA 2012)
Milacron, LLC, et al. v. Stough Tool Sales, et. al., 1-12-cv-119 (SD OH 2012)
Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. v. Crown Packaging Technology, Inc., et al., 3:12-cv-0033 (SD OH 2012)
Diba Industries, Inc. v. IDEX Health & Science, LLC, 3:12-cv-01248 (DCT 2012)
AOK Global Products, LTD, et al. v. Ferno-Washington, Inc., 1-12-cv-267 (ED VA 2012)
Paducah River Painting, Inc. v. McNational, Inc., 5:11-cv-135 (WD KY 2011)
Ionic Communications Group, Inc v. Ionic Collective, LLC, 1:11-cv-00766 (SD OH 2011)
Chikezie Ottah v. First Mobile Technologies, 1:10-cv-07296 (SD NY 2010)
L.F.P. IP, LLC, et al. v. Hustler Cincinnati, Inc., 1:09-cv-913 (SD OH 2009)
T. Marzetti Company v. Roskam Baking Company, 2:09-cv-584 (SD OH 2009)
The Container Store, Inc. v. Schulte Corporation, et al., 4:08-cv-00410 (ED TX 2008)
Alps South, LLC v. The Ohio Willow Wood Company, 8:08-CV-1893-T-35MAP (MDFL 2008)
Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. v. Pracso, LLC, 07-0781, (SD OH 2007)
Prasco, LLC v. Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., 07-0135, (SD OH 2007)
NCR Corporation v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., 06-0919, (SD OH 2006)
NCR Corporation v. The ATM Exchange, 05-0383, (SD OH 2005)
Daniel F. Fitzgibbon, Jr. v. Martin County Coal Corporation and Sidney Coal Company, Inc., 05-0036, (ED KY 2005)
Crown Packaging Technology, Inc., et al. v. Ball Metal Beverage Container, Corp., 05-0281, (SD OH 2005)
Pisces by OPW, Inc. v. Advanced Polymer Technology, Inc., 04-0178 (SD OH 2004)
Milacron, Inc. v. Graham Engineering Corporation, 02-2142, (SD OH 2002)
Total Containment, Inc. v. Osborne, et al., No. 96 7241 (ED PA 1997)
PISCES By OPW v. Total Containment, No. C-1-01-0063 (SD OH 2001)
Environ Products v. PISCES By OPW, No. 02-865 (ED PA 2002)
PISCES By OPW v. Environ Products, No. C-1-02-292 (SD OH 2002)
PISCES By OPW v. Total Containment, No. CIV-02-0543 (SD OH 2002)
PISCES By OPW v. Advanced Polymer Technology, No. C-1-04-178 (SD OH 2004)