Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property Partners Pete Pappas and Daniel Warren are noted for their representation as patent counsel to Coca-Cola Co. in its upcoming development of new low-calorie and zero-calorie beverage sweeteners.

6/21/2007 Daily Report

Sutherland Wins Decision for Medrad, Inc. at Federal Circuit

3/8/2007

42 Sutherland Partners Named 2007 Georgia Super Lawyers

March 5, 2007

"Patent Lawsuits May Get Faster Court Rulings"

Intellectual Property Partner Ann Fort comments in favor of the plan for federal judges to specialize in patent disputes.

3/5/2007 Atlanta Business Chronicle

"In the Trenches"

Sutherland has elected six new partners in the Atlanta office: John Benson, Tom Cullinan, Kevin King, CarlaWong McMillian, Kristin Wilhelm and David Zimmerman, and promoted Tom Douglass to counsel.

1/31/2007 Daily Report

"Can the Jury Sort It All Out?"

Partner Blair Jacobs comments on jurors ability to understand and decide patent-infringed cases.

1/24/2007 The San Diego Union-Tribune

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan Elects Eight New Partners and Promotes Eight New Counsel

1/23/2007

"Legal Dealmakers"

The sale of Westinghouse Electric to Toshiba Corporation is featured as a record financial deal in 2006. Several other significant Sutherland transactions are also included in this special section. Legal Dealmakers chosen from the firm are William Bradley, Peter Dean, Knox Dobbins, Eric Fenichel, Victor Haley, Mark Herlach, Tom Herman, Ed Kallal, Jim McGibbon, Danny McKeithen and Marc Rawls....more

1/19/2007 Atlanta Business Chronicle

"People in the News: Intellectual Property Lawyers Join Firm"

The addition of 11 new attorneys to Intellectual Property group at Sutherland in 2006 is mentioned.

1/11/2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

33 Sutherland Attorneys Named to Georgia Trend 2006 Legal Elite List

December 5, 2006

"Firm Offers 'Auction' Investment Method"

Partner Griff Griffin comments on the benefits of holding a patent.

12/4/2006 Money Management Executive

"The Second Annual MLF 50: The Top Law Firms in Marketing and Communications"

Sutherland was ranked among the top 50 law firms in Marketing and Communications.

12/1/2006 ALM Marketing Law Firm

Sutherland's Elbert P. Tuttle Courtroom Opens With Full Courtroom Features and State-of-the-Art Technology

December 1, 2006

"Law Firm Adds 7 To Practice Group"

Sutherland has added the following seven associates to the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the Atlanta office: Brian Decker, Deidre Francis, Kristin Goran, Darcy Jones, David Reed, Geoffrey Rogers and Kristin Timm.

11/23/2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Intellectual Property Group Adds Seven Associates

11/13/2006

Sutherland Attorneys Chosen By Clients and Peers as America's Best Lawyers

October 13, 2006

"Groups Challenge Key Stem Cell Patents"

Intellectual Property Partner Bill Warren comments on the patentability of research using embryonic stem cells.

7/21/2006 Science

"Stem Cell Patents Challenged"

Intellectual Property Partner Bill Warren comments on the likelihood of the U.S. Patent Office to consider the patent appeal by a consumer advocacy group to revoke several stem cell patents held by a University of Wisconsin foundation.

7/19/2006 The Sacramento Bee

"SCO's Future Murky Following Legal Blow"

Partner Jeffrey Toney comments on the complicated nature of copyright infringement in a software case.

7/4/2006 Linux Insider

"Limits to Attorney-Client Privilege?"

Partner Blair Jacobs appeared on the "Coast to Coast" radio show on the Legal Talk Network discussing a patent infringement case with regard to attorney-client privilege.

To listen to the show, please click here.

6/16/2006 Legal Talk Network

"Article Charges Wisconsin Stem Cell Patents Too Broad"

Partner Bill Warren comments on Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation's stem cell patents, predicting that the patents will eventually face court challenges.

3/24/2006 The Associated Press State & Local Wire

"Who Protects IP America"

Sutherland is listed as Outside Counsel for both The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises.

3/14/2006 Law.com

"BlackBerry Maker Details Workaround Plan"

Intellectual Property Partner Blair Jacobs comments on the possible outcomes of the BlackBerry case. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion has plans for a workaround in the patent dispute.

2/9/2006 IP Law360

"Outcome Of BlackBerry Case Remains Anyone's Guess"

The U.S. Supreme Court seems to have left BlackBerry maker Research In Motion with no options in the patent infringement case other than settling with NTP or facing a service-halting injunction. While some predicted a settlement of at least $1 billion to avoid a service blackout, other experts believe RIM may still have a few tricks up its sleeves. Blair Jacobs, partner in the IP group, advises that RIM may be working fastidiously on designing a workaround to prevent silencing BlackBerries around the world.

1/30/2006 IP Law360

"Biotech Trends"

Bill Warren comments on trends in the biotechnology industry.

8/31/2005 Genetic Engineering News

"As Arguments Mount Over Who Will Own the Future Technologies Born of Stem Cell Research, Corporate Lawyers Prepare For Battle"

Stem cell research has been a focus for intense political and ethical battles for years. Now the next frontier is in the courts. Biotechnology expert Bill Warren noted, "litigation will definitely be coming."

6/20/2005 Scientific American - Financial Times: Future of Stem Cells Special Report

"Top Trademark Firms"

Sutherland was recently recognized as one of the top trademark firms in the nation.

5/30/2005 Intellectual Property Today

"New Chief Takes Reins at Sutherland"

Announced at the firm's annual partners meeting, Jim Henderson has stepped down as Firmwide Managing Partner and the firm has named Mark Wasserman as his successor. Jim will keep a leadership position at the firm as Chair of the Corporate group and will work to further expand the New York Office.

May 2, 2005 Fulton County Daily Report

"GAM, Man Could Face Patent Dustup"

A patent dispute between GAM and Man Investments is emerging with the recent filing of Man's pending patent with regard to a specific hedge fund structure they claim they created. The dueling business method patents could take years to be completed and filed, says Griff Griffin, a partner in the Intellectual Property group.

4/11/2005 Money Management Executive

Sutherland Continues to Expand IP Practice, Adds Three IP Litigation Lateral Associates

...more

1/11/2005

"Get Your Idea Trademarked"

Clay Holloway and Mike Krause, both Intellectual Property associates in the Atlanta office, were guests on Q100's The Bert Show. They provided information on the first steps to getting innovative ideas patented.

12/16/2004 Q100’s The Bert Show

Biotech Roundtable: "University Start-Up Patent Licensing Tactics"

Bill Warren, a partner in the Atlanta office and Co-chair of the firm's Life Sciences Practice, was recently the moderator for a Biotech Roundtable discussion regarding academic research and research tool patent licensing. Other prominent members of the research patent community participated in the roundtable as well....more

12/1/2004 Genetic Engineering News

Inadmissible

Robert Gutkin, Blair Jacobs and Robert Walters have joined the firms' Washington office as partners in the Intellectual Property Group. Bibb Strench has also joined the firm as a partner with the Financial Services Team.

11/15/2004 Legal Times

"Stem cell research race is wide open; Doyle, scientists ready new strategy to keep Wisconsin competitive."

With California's passage of Proposition 71, Wisconsin's Governor Jim Doyle and biologist James Thomson, the first person to isolate and culture human stem cells six years ago, are working up ways to maintain Wisconsin's importance in the stem cell field. Bill Warren, a partner in the Atlanta office, notes that with Proposition 71, many companies will be looking to move to California for financial reasons, leaving them the possible big winner.

11/14/2004 The Associated Press State & Local Wire

Sutherland Continues to Expand IP Practice, Strengthen Litigation Capacity

11/10/2004

"Prop 71 Victory Welcomed by VCs"

With California's passage of Proposition 71, promising $3 billion in public money toward human embryonic stem cell research, come several intellectual property questions. Bill Warren, a partner and Co-chair of the firm's life sciences practice, comments on the effect patents could have on the industries growth, particularly since only a few hold all relative patents.

11/4/2004 The Deal

"Community Publishing"

Bill Warren, Cary Miller and Kathryn Wade, all practicing in the firm's Atlanta office, recently wrote a paper entitled "Experimental Uses and Research Tool Licensing Alternatives." The paper discusses the applicability of Section 271(e) of the Patent Act and the experimental use exemption from infringement liability and its effect on research universities. An abstract of the paper and the authors' photos are included in the "Community Publishing" section of the magazine.

9/1/2004 TechLinks

"Generics Generate Patent Work"

Increased changes to pharmaceutical patent laws, and a consumer market demanding cheaper drugs, have driven many law firms to increase their patent practices and funnel more resources into the pharmaceutical arena in order to meet demand. Bill Warren, an Intellectual Property partner in the Atlanta office, notes that this is good news for those in the field with opportunities for work wide-ranging.

8/30/2004 The National Law Journal

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Secures Win in International Trade Commission Section 337 Suit on Behalf of Bearings Limited

7/12/2004

"It's a Dawg-Eat-Dawg Fight"

Fulton County Daily Report hosts a trademark roundtable focusing a majority of the discussion on the University of Georgia's pending trademark battle. The debate raised questions regarding registration, licensing and abandonment. Jim Johnson, Counsel in the Atlanta office, participated in the roundtable.

6/28/2004 Fulton County Daily Report

"Second-Half Surge Helps Sutherland Finish Strong"

In Fulton County Daily Report's annual "Daily Dozen" feature, Managing Partner Jim Henderson is quoted regarding Sutherland finishing strong in 2003. John Fleming and John North, partners in the Atlanta office, were also quoted on the rapid expansion of the firm's IP and litigation groups in 2003.

6/25/2004 Fulton County Daily Report

"Accountants, Attorneys Tap Life Sciences Niche"

The "Law & Accounting" special section features Sutherland's Life Sciences Practice as an example of a hot industry group in Atlanta law firms. Bill Warren, Co-Chair of the Sutherland's Life Sciences Practice, notes that the firm's general Intellectual Property practice has grown rapidly due to increased demand.

6/11/2004 Atlanta Business Chronicle

Sutherland Announces the Addition of Ralph Gaskins, M.D., to its Intellectual Property Group

12/4/2003

"Eolas Moves For Injunction Against Internet Explorer"

After a big win in its patent infringement case, Eolas Technologies has asked a federal court to declare an injunction that would forbid Microsoft from selling or distributing any new versions of its Internet Explorer. Griff Griffin commented on the situation.

10/9/2003 Enterprise-Windows-IT.com

Former Trademark Counsel to The Coca-Cola Company, James H. Johnson, Jr., Joins Sutherland Asbill & Brennan

9/15/2003

"Dossier: Happy Perkins"

GE Power Systems uses several Atlanta-based law firms as outside counsel, including Sutherland for intellectual property work.

8/1/2003

Sutherland Obtains New Patent For The Coca-Cola Company: Consumers Can Make Vending Machine Purchases Via Cell Phone

7/24/2003

Sutherland's Pappas Named President-Elect of Lawyers Club of Atlanta

6/17/2003

Sutherland Attorneys Chosen By Clients and Peers As "America's Leading Business Lawyers"

6/3/2003

"Cellular Divide"

An article discussing a variety of current hot topics within stem cell research includes patent rights, cell research, and the on-going debate regarding federally funding stem cell research. Sutherland is mentioned representing BresaGen, one of the world's largest stem cell research companies which owns rights to four of the very few U.S. federally funded stem cell lines.

2/11/2003 Law.com

"AIDS Researchers to Share Award for Biotech Work"

Two Emory University AIDS researchers will share this year's Biomedical Industry Growth Award, the local biotech community's most prestigious honor. Dennis Liotta and Raymond Schinazi, the scientists behind one of the key anti-HIV compounds used in AIDS-fighting drugs, will receive the award at a January 15 ceremony.

"Dr. Liotta and Dr. Schinazi have been instruments of growth in our industry through leadership as researchers and entrepreneurs," said Philip Moise, secretary and coporate counsel for the Georgia Biomedical Partnership, which gives the annual award, and chairman of the partnership's awards committee.

12/20/2002 Atlanta Business Chronicle

"People In The News"

Sutherland added Bill Silverio and Charlena Thorpe to its intellectual property practice.

12/13/2002 Atlanta Business Chronicle

"New Rules May Still Offer Patent Loopholes"

Bush led a Rose Garden Ceremony on October 21 to unveil a new rule that he said would lower prescription drug prices by improving access to generic drugs. "Political or not, Bush's action is at least a partial victory for the generic industry," Bill Warren said. While the industry won an important battle in the 30-month automatic stay arena, Warren noted that, "the primary issue remains that large pharmaceuticals need to police themselves" against frivolous patent extensions in the first place.

"But any legislative or regulatory fix will be tough because it is always difficult to define and enforce good faith," he said.

12/6/2002 The Food & Drug Letter

"Sutherland Hires 3, To Add Branch"

Sutherland was highlighted in a recent article which discussed the addition of Bill Silverio and Charlena Thorpe to the IP practice in Atlanta and the opening of a new branch office in Houston with the addition of Eric Dennison.

11/7/2002

Sutherland Continues to Expand Intellectual Property Practice with the Addition of Two New Associates

11/4/2002

"Changes of Venue"

Jeff Toney was highlighted and pictured for his recent move to Sutherland's IP practice.

10/1/2002 Corporate Legal Times

"Moving Up & Moving On"

Jeff Toney and Cary Miller are highlighted for joining Sutherland's IP practice.

9/1/2002 Intellectual Property Today

"Gemstar Comments on Ga. Court Pending Ruling"

John North was quoted on behalf of a firm client with regard to a ruling concerning the company's intellectual property rights.

8/31/2002 Dow Jones Newswire

"Lawyers for Spider-Man Win a Fight Over Times Square"

Sutherland was mentioned as having represented a party in the lawsuit over trademark violations.

8/13/2002 The New York Times

"'Spider-Man' Defeats Lawsuit Over Times Square Images"

Dan Warren was listed among those representing several Times Square buildings and billboard companies in the case alleging trademark violations and unfair competition.

8/5/2002 New York Law Journal

Sutherland Continues to Expand Intellectual Property Practice with Addition of New Partner and Associate

7/30/2002

"Technology Pays"

Griff Griffin was pictured and quoted concerning how he takes advantage of the advances in law firm technology to simplify his practice and better serve clients.

7/15/2002 Fulton County Daily Report

"Sutherland Nabs Kilpatrick IP Partner for Tech Saavy"

Jeff Toney was announced as a new partner in Sutherland's expanding IP practice. John North was quoted regarding Jeff's contribution to the group.

6/27/2002 Fulton County Daily Report

"Movers"

Griff Griffin was announced as having joined Sutherland's Intellectual Property Practice as a partner in Atlanta.

6/24/2002 National Law Journal

"Electrical Engineering Partner Flies the A&B Coop"

Griff Griffin was pictured and quoted with regards to joining Sutherland's patent prosecution practice. John North was also pictured and quoted concerning Griff's contribution to the firm.

6/13/2002 Fulton County Daily Report

Sutherland Expands Patent Prosecution Practice with Partner, Griff Griffin, and Two Associates

6/7/2002

"All Hail the Gemstar Army"

John North was mentioned as having served as Gemstar's lead counsel. Sutherland was listed among trial counsel hired by Gemstar in their case against the International Trade Commission.

3/1/2002 The American Lawyer

"Scientific-Atlanta Challenged on Patents"

John North was pictured and mentioned as representing Sutherland client Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., the maker of interactive TV program guides.

9/21/2001 Fulton County Daily Report

"On the Docket - Legal Camouflage?"

Dan Warren was mentioned as representing a client in a copyright infringement case.

3/12/2001 The National Law Journal

"Biotech Firms Examine Legal/Ethical Implications"

Bill Warren and Phil Moise were quoted regarding how changes in the way the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews patent applications could affect biotech companies and investors.

2/16/2001 Atlanta Business Chronicle