Bar Admission Date
May 13, 1985
Supreme Court Number
0019663
Licensed In
OH
Number of Attorneys in Firm
16+
Summary of Firm
Experience in intellectual property, patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret. Prosecuted over 500 patent/trademark applications with USPTO.
Significant Cases
Client(s): Estech USA LLC
Representation: Patent Prosecution, Licensing and International Agreements
Summary: SZD represented Estech USA in obtaining several patents related to waste treatment and energy recycling and advised Estech USA in its multi-million international technology licensing and exclusive dealing agreements. Estech USA was awarded the 2009 TechColumbus Innovation Award in the Green Innovation category.
Client(s): Bass Pro, Inc.
Representation: Patent Litigation (Southern District of Ohio)
Summary: SZD obtained a complete dismissal with prejudice of the patent infringement case brought against Bass Pro, Inc., the operator of the nationwide Bass Pro Shops outfitters. The case was filed in October 2003 against Bass Pro and several other major retailers, including Cabela's and Gander Mountain, as well as against Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, the creator of the RealTree camouflage patterns. The voluntary dismissal in February 2008 came as a result of a favorable claim construction ruling argued to Judge Michael Watson, which effectively excluded the accused garment systems from coverage by the patents in the case. This completely eliminated any possible liability from patents that would have affected the multi-million dollar camouflage garment market. Embs v. Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd., et al., Case No. C2-03-895 (Southern District Ohio, Watson, J.)
Client(s): National Retailer
Representation: Sports Machine, Inc. v. Midwest Merchandising Inc.
Summary: Successfully argued an appeal at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit which affirmed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's decision regarding the validity of a trademark registration of a nationwide mark.
Client(s): Start-Up Company
Representation: Technology Protection
Summary: Assisted start-up and established businesses to develop, protect and commercialize technology.
Client(s): Privately Held Companies, Publicly Held Companies
Representation: General Intellectual Property Advice
Summary: Advised a wide variety of publicly and privately held companies in all aspects of intellectual property ownership, licensing, validity and infringement.
Client(s): Major U.S. Importer
Representation: Patent Infringement - International Trade Commission
Summary: Successfully defended importer in International Trade Commission investigation based upon patent infringement.
Client(s): Architects, Builders
Representation: Copyright Infringement
Summary: Successfully defended builders and architects in copyright infringement actions on architectural works.
