Industries: Life Sciences

Intellectual Property

Many growth companies have highly developed and sophisticated intellectual property. We have worked with these companies to get the appropriate protection in place to limit or block misuse by employees, investors or competitive entities. In the unfortunate event that a client’s intellectual property is misappropriated, we offer litigators who are experienced in the strategic enforcement and defense of clients’ rights. We assist clients in the transfer of intellectual property rights from individual owners to entities, and in protecting and maintaining those rights during mergers or acquisitions.

Our patent attorneys understand the intricate role intellectual property plays in the life sciences industry, and the regulatory framework that spurs innovation in biotech, pharma, and medical device companies. Our wealth of experience includes a full range of legal services including patents prosecution and defense; patent portfolio strategy development in the United States and abroad; monitoring competitive technologies; trademark and copyright issues; trade secret protection and enforcement issues; and due diligence on behalf of investors.

McGuireWoods' patent litigation team has more than 240 years of collective patent litigation experience. Our patent professionals have prior technical experience in the industry, with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and/or have advanced scientific degrees. Our patent team has considerable experience in negotiating a wide range of patent licensing agreements for individuals, universities, the federal government, and small to multinational corporations involved in patent enforcement or merger and acquisition activities.

Our litigation team works closely with our transactional lawyers to protect our clients’ interests. Some of these services include:

• Assist clients embroiled in ownership disputes.
• Counsel on media rights.
• Counsel on copyright licenses and transfers.
• Advise on deceptive or misleading advertising.
• Draft and prosecute domestic and international patent applications.
• Negotiate and draft licenses and joint ventures.
• Clearance and protection of trademarks and trade names.