Attorneys

Intellectual Property

With its large complement of registered patent attorneys and the ability to aggressively protect the intellectual property of our clients, Middleton Reutlinger’s extensive intellectual property practice is highly respected nationwide. A state-of-the-art docketing system enables the firm to effectively and efficiently administer the extensive intellectual property portfolio of its clients. The firm’s litigation expertise is demonstrated in the unanimous landmark decision obtained from the United States Supreme Court in Moseley v. V Secret Catalogue, Inc. (2003) regarding the Federal Trademark Dilution Act. Middleton Reutlinger’s intellectual property practice area is primarily divided among patents, trademarks and copyrights/Internet. Recognizing the value of trade secrets to business, the firm also advises clients to protect their critical trade secrets and vigorously defends those trades secrets in litigation when necessary.

PATENT

Middleton Reutlinger has 10 Kentucky-based registered patent attorneys. These attorneys have degrees in diverse scientific disciplines including:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Ceramic Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Biotechnology

Such diversity of background and experience in the firm’s patent practice lends itself to substantial representation in the following areas:

  • Evaluation of ideas for patent protection
  • All aspects of patent practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office including, preparation of applications, post-filing prosecution and related amendments and appeals
  • Representation of clients In the Board of Patent Appeals
  • Design-around advice
  • Infringement analysis
  • Patent infringement litigation
  • Preparation and negotiation of licensing agreements

Middleton Reutlinger’s patent practice extends internationally with the support of highly professional foreign associates throughout the world working under the firm’s direction. These working relationships enable the firm to obtain patent protection for clients in various countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, South America, the Pacific Rim (including Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Korea), Russia, Mexico and in the European Patent Office (EPO).

Click here to view sample patents.

TRADEMARKS

As part of the firm’s intellectual property practice, the firm’s trademark attorneys engage in an extensive trademark practice including:

  • Advice regarding trademark development, clearance, registration and infringement (including screening proposed marks and evaluating trademark searches)
  • Filing and prosecution of applications in the U.S. Trademark Office and state trademark offices
  • Trademark infringement litigation
  • Litigation of trademark disputes in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
  • Preparation of licensing and distribution agreements

The firm’s trademark practice extends internationally with the support of a network of foreign trademark associates throughout the world. This enables the firm to obtain registration for its clients in such diverse forums as the European Union (including Community Trademark Registrations) and the Madrid Protocol (International Registrations), as well as in Canada, Australia, the Pacific Rim, Russia and Mexico.

The International Trademark Association (INTA) has long recognized the firm’s trademark expertise. Our trademark attorneys were invited by INTA to author the Kentucky Chapter of INTA’s authoritative treatise, State Law of Trademarks and Unfair Competition, and we have been the Kentucky editors of the yearly updates to that treatise since 1989.

COPYRIGHTS/INTERNET

Middleton Reutlinger’s copyright/Internet practice includes:

  • Advice regarding ‘fair use’, ‘work made for hire’, and other copyright ownership issues
  • Preparation and negotiation of software development and licensing agreements
  • Advising clients regarding Internet domain names, including resolution of disputes through UDRP arbitration and in federal court
  • Preparation of Internet-related agreements
  • Filing applications for copyright registration with the U.S. Copyright Office for various works
  • Copyright infringement litigation