Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Prosecution
Briggs and Morgan’s Intellectual Property Group comprises a number of attorneys with significant experience in related transactional work and litigation. Working with clients from all over the world, we offer comprehensive services designed to protect the best in innovations—ideas, expressions, symbols—under state and federal statutes and laws.
In all cases, Briggs attorneys will start at ground level to provide in-depth counsel indicative of our understanding, knowledge and skill with this seemingly complex practice. We believe that to beat out competition and find a solid niche, client rights must be successfully enforced. We provide personnel training and advice, sound strategy, portfolio audits and registration counsel. In addition, we can assist in translating technical language related to an invention or idea into the appropriate legal requirements.
With a diverse and growing clientele, Briggs develops collaborative working relationships with our clients. Our experienced attorneys offer transactional services for the most familiar forms of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and copyrights.
Patents
A patentable invention may be the result of sudden inspiration, an accidental discovery or a lengthy development process. Whether addressing patentability, conducting clinical trials or amidst the approval process, Briggs and Morgan has experience in patent law with more than 700 patents in our portfolio, spanning the medical, biological, chemical, electrical and mechanical arts. Recent patents involved drug discovery, medical devices and instruments, agriculture and research tools.
Trademarks
Trademark law is controlled primarily by state, federal and foreign statutes. Once an owner uses a trademark in commerce, legal rights have been established. Briggs and Morgan assists clients with trademark searches; licensing, registration and intent-to-use applications; infringement issues and litigation; and the transferring of trademark rights throughout the world.
Copyrights
Under the Copyright Act, only original works of authorship are protected in fictional and nonfictional writing and publications; music compositions and lyrics; dramatic works and corresponding music; pantomimes or choreographic work; pictorial, graphic or sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; sound recordings; architectural works, as well as computer programs, toys and games. The terms of protection are very specific—Briggs and Morgan can assist in determining when copyright protection is needed and the smartest way to take action.
Members of the group are active in the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA) and International Trademark Association, among others.