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USPTO Postpones
"Track One" Patent Processing Initiative
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has postponed the implementation of an initiative that would have provided expedited examination of patent applications.
The initiative, dubbed "Track One" and part of a broad Three-Track program intended to provide patent applicants with more filing options, was postponed due to budget cuts. The program was announced early in April and was to have been made available beginning May 4, 2011.
USPTO director David Kappos made the announcement on April 22 following the release of the Congress' Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, which limited the USPTO's 2011 fiscal year spending authority to $2.09 billion. Kappos provided no new date for the implementation of the program.
For more information on the Track One program or to discuss the applicability of this development to your patent portfolio, contact your Boyle Fredrickson attorney.
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Client Spotlight: ZBB Energy Welcomes President Obama
Obama with ZBB CEO Eric Apfelbach |
ZBB Energy Corporation, a Boyle Fredrickson client since 2008, played host to President Barack Obama last year for a discussion on clean energy and a facilities tour. "The visit provided global exposure we are currently leveraging in discussions with entities around the world that may benefit from our technologies," said Dan Nordloh, ZBB Vice President, Sales and Marketing.
While at ZBB, President Obama discussed the importance of clean energy to the manufacturing sector. ZBB specializes in building storage systems that tie in with renewable energy systems and regulate power flow between the renewable energy systems, storage systems, and the consumer.
ZBB was founded in 1986 and has 30 employees in Menomonee Falls, the location of its 75,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. It also maintains research and development offices in Perth, Australia.
"ZBB is one of Wisconsin's most innovative companies, " said Eric Schlevensky, Boyle Fredrickson's lead attorney for ZBB matters. "Their energy management solutions are the wave of the future. ZBB understands the importance of creating a strong IP portfolio to protect their development efforts. The importance of this technology is evidenced by the special recognition they received by a visit from the President of the United States. "
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Boyle Fredrickson Again Named
a "Fastest Growing Firm"
Boyle Fredrickson was recently named by the Milwaukee Business Journal as one of southeast Wisconsin's "Fastest Growing Firms." It is the second consecutive year the firm, which is the largest intellectual property law firm in Wisconsin, has achieved such recognition. The firm now boasts 23 attorneys and 18 additional support staff.
"We are fortunate to be able to work with innovative companies that see intellectual property as essential to their competitive advantage," explained Boyle Fredrickson President Peter Stomma. " We always try to provide our clients with thoughtful legal counsel and good business sense."
"Even in the worst economic downturn in decades, there are companies throughout southeast Wisconsin that are growing, some at very impressive rates, " said Mark Kass, Business Journal editor.
Shareholder John Fredrickson, one of Boyle Fredrickson's founding attorneys, accepted the award on behalf of the firm at a celebratory luncheon held at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.
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Boyle Fredrickson Sponsors WISACCA Seminar on Advertising
Boyle Fredrickson sponsored a Wisconsin Chapter of the Association of Corporate Council America (WISACCA) seminar entitled "Ads that Shouldn't Have Run and Other Ethical Issues in Advertising. "
Attended by more than 90 attorneys and business executives, the program provided insight into the legal and ethical pitfalls of advertising and trademark misuse.
"The goal was to arm attendees with information needed to understand and act upon various trademark and branding issues, all while upholding ethical obligations as executives and attorneys, " explained Boyle Fredrickson shareholder Matt Corr, who was joined at the event by fellow Boyle Fredrickson shareholder Keith Baxter. "There are many factors at play in the ethical and appropriate use of trademarks and brands that are becoming even more complex in light of constantly evolving societal norms. "
Consult your Boyle Fredrickson attorney for further insights into the appropriate use of trademark and copyright material in any advertising or brand development campaign.
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Kevin Kreger
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Kreger Advises Prize-Winning Students
Congratulations to Boyle Fredrickson associate Kevin Kreger, who recently participated in the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Lubar School of Business business plan competition. Kreger served as alumni advisor to the team of students, who took home the $7,500 grand prize in the annual event.
Read more about the contest or watch the accompanying video featuring Kreger at “Business contest fuels local entrepreneurs” from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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Boyle Fredrickson Adds Three Shareholders
Boyle Fredrickson recently elevated attorneys Kirk Deheck, Michael Griggs and Eric Lalor to shareholders.
Deheck joined Boyle Fredrickson in 2006. His practice focuses on the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, as well as intellectual property opinions and enforcement. Deheck also is Chair-Elect of the Wisconsin State Bar Intellectual Property Section.
Griggs joined Boyle Fredrickson in 2007. He is a litigation specialist and is well-versed in preparing and filing patent and trademark applications. He has served as an instructor for training courses for Army engineers working with invention disclosures and patent applications.
Lalor began his Boyle Fredrickson career in 2007. He specializes in strategic intellectual property portfolio development and graduated from the Marquette University Law School, where he served as senior note and comment editor of the Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review. He is licensed by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to participate in motorcycle land-speed racing events, and is a member of the American Motorcyclist Association and American Welding Society.
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