Intellectual Property
Gould & Ratner advises clients in myriad aspects of intellectual property including counseling, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, trade dress, business methods and technology transactions, as well as related litigation.
We represent clients in a broad array of industries including:
- manufacturing
- software
- technology
- telecommunications
- computer manufacturing
- retail and e-commerce
- consumer goods
We guide our clients through the process of leveraging their assets through transactions that include licensing programs, transfer of technology and protection of trade secrets. Drawing on their experience in specific technology practice areas, our attorneys work with our clients to prepare appropriate agreements, including:
- effective dealer and distributor agreements
- technology transfer license agreements
- software development agreements
- software license and maintenance agreements
- cloud computing and other software as a service (SaaS) agreements
- agreements relating to the development, distribution and use of open source software
- employment agreements
- policy manuals preventing the unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information
IP Litigation
Our Intellectual Property Practice also includes a robust litigation component, with experienced IP practitioners and trial lawyers teaming to handle a variety of litigation matters involving trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, antitrust, unfair competition, violation of non-compete agreements, and dealer and distributor termination.
Representative Matters
- Represented an inventor of more than 150 medical device patents structure and negotiated several complex licensing transactions with major medical device manufacturers.
- Represented a company with patents on several cancer fighting therapies receive equity infusions from a public company.
- Represented a banking software developer in several license agreements with the banks for customer relationship management software.
- Represented a developer of communications software in license, maintenance and escrow arrangements with several customers.
- Representation of baked goods manufacturer specializing in custom formulations defending against conversion claims and prosecuting breach of contract and violations of trade secret and intellectual property laws.
- Representation of leading developer of custom-engineered and application specific technology products and solutions defending patent infringement claims quad small form factor pluggable (QSFP+) transceivers and adapters.
- Representation of financial institutions investigating potential infringement claims and negotiating and drafting services contracts relating to intellectual property and infringement indemnifications.
News
- Eight Gould & Ratner Lawyers Earn Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Designation for 2021, February 1, 2021
- Rob Chidester Named Partner at Gould & Ratner, December 1, 2020
- Gould & Ratner Represents Client TanvasTouch in Innovative Technology Product Release, June 10, 2020
- Gould & Ratner Represents Client TanvasTouch in Innovative Technology Product Release, June 10, 2019
