Page Content Additional Resources CIA Clients Representative Clients Professional Biographies Articles Our Services Patent Services Business Method Patents Trademark Services Copyright Services Litigation Services M&A Intellectual Property Related Services International Network Information Technology/Strategic Alliances Related Areas Register here to receive future Vedder Price mailings. Professional Biographies Scott Barnett Robert Beiser Angelo Bufalino Mark Dalla Valle Jeffrey Davis W. Dennis Drehkoff James FitzGibbon John Gresens Mark Guttag Ajay Jagtiani David Lanzotti Christopher Moreno Christopher Reckamp Robert Rigg Michael Turgeon Alain Villeneuve William Voller Richard Zachar

Additional Resources Patent and trademark search tools: Issued patents and patent applications Trademark search tool Manual of Patent Examining: Procedure Intellectual Property Organization Intellectual Property Owners (http://www.ipo.org/) Licensing Executive Society (http://www.lesi.org/) International Trademark Association (http://www.inta.org/) Articles Financial Institutions Under Attack, April 2010 Proving Fraud Just Got Tougher, January 2010 International Trade Commission, August 2008 Beware of Patent Marketing Trolls, April 2010 Trends in Patent, Copyright, & Trademark, April 2009 Vedder Price is proud to count numerous Chicago Innovation Award winners among its clients, including: Abbott Laboratories ACCO Brands American Cancer Society Aon Art Institute of Chicago Loggerhead Tools Molex Motorola Northwestern Memorial Hospital Ocean Tomo Orbitz Sara Lee Suncast United Airlines University of Illinois – Chicago Walgreens

Representative Clients

We are grateful that the following clients have entrusted their intellectual property work to us.

• AB SKF
• Abbott Laboratories
• ABI Precious Metals
• Actuarials Holdings, LLC
• Advanced Micro Devices
• AECX Corporation
• Agbar Technologies, Inc.
• Agrifab, Inc.
• AHI International Corporation
• Allied Technologies Group, LLC
• American College of Rheumatology
• American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Andrew Corporation
• Askesis Development Group, Inc.
• Atlas Weathering Services Group
• Autobahn Country Club
• Avatar Corporation
• AWTP, LLC
• Beacon Home Direct
• BellSouth Communication Systems
• Beverage Testing Institute
• Biosynergy, Inc.
• Bison Gear & Engineering Corporation
• Bobit Publishing
• Bodum, Inc.
• Boeing
• Boldt Metronics International
• Bridge Healthcare Finance, LLC
• Bridgeview Bank Group
• Cadant, Inc.
• CareerBuilder
• Carle Clinic Association
• Cartoon Art Limited
• Cellular Linking
• C.F. Industries
• The Chassis Shop, Inc.
• Chicago Rawhide
• Chicago Tube and Iron Co.
• Children’s Literary Foundation
• Clark Consulting
• Columbian Home Products
• Community Bankers Association of Illinois
• Com-Pac International, Inc.
• Concord Development Corporation of Illinois
• Concord Materials Technology
• Controls Group
• Delta Power Company
• Dietzgen Corporation
• DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan & Johnson, Ltd.
• Ditka Apparel Group, Inc.
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Drives, Inc.
• Eddie Bauer, Inc.
• Electri-Flex Company
• Empower Geographics
• Enesco
• Ennis Knupp & Associates
• Entrust Inc.
• Errant Enterprises
• Evolve Products, Inc.
• Family Dollar
• Fibre-Craft Materials Corp.
• Filtration Group Incorporated
• First Traders
• Flexible Products Company
• Follett Corporation
• Gamon International
• General Binding Corporation
• GFX International
• Global Packaging Solutions
• G.T. Laboratories
• Hagerman & Company, Inc.
• Headco Industries
• Health Alliance Medical Plans
• Heftee Industries
• Heico Holdings, Inc.
• H.Q. Publications, LLC
• HR Innovations, Inc.
• Hydro-Gear
• Ibbotson Associates
• Ibico, Inc.
• Illinois Secretary of State
• Inrange Systems, Inc.
• Kaikai Kiki New York, LLC
• Keebler Company
• King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Knape & Vogt
• Kongsonic Electronics
• Kraft Foods Global, Inc.
• Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company
• Larson Burton, Inc.
• LaSalle Bank
• Lawson Products
• LitePoint Corporation
• Little Lady Foods, Inc.
• Louis Glunz
• MAF Bancorp, Inc.
• Magotteaux International S.A.
• Maxtec International
• MCSNet
• MEBA Plans
• Mel-O-Cream International, Inc.
• Mesirow Financial
• Michael David Vineyards
• Mid America Bank
• Midwest Banc Holdings, Inc.
• Midwest Heart Specialists
• Millward Brown, Inc.
• M.L. Royce Roofing Co., Inc.
• Molex Incorporated
• Motorola, Inc.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing
• National Cycle
• National Semiconductor Corporation
• National Wildlife Federation
• New Medical Technology, Inc.
• Nickels & Dimes
• North American Promotions
• Océ-USA
• Ocean Tomo
• Old Oak Studios, Inc.
• Patsystems plc
• PDI Communications
• Peerless Industries
• Petro Vend, Inc.
• Plano Molding Company
• Poet and Didn’t Know It Company
• Porto Chico Stores
• Preston Industries, Inc.
• QuinStreet, Inc.
• Rayovac Corporation
• Rent Com, Inc.
• RQA, Inc.
• Safety Kleen Systems, Inc.
• Safeway Safety Step, Inc.
• Sardee Industries
• Sayers Finance
• Schawk, Inc.
• Schnadig Corporation
• Schumacher Electric Corporation
• Scintera Networks
• Sellstrom Manufacturing Company
• SFK USA Inc.
• Shapiro Packaging
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Site Foundation
• Smokenders USA
• Snap-On Diagnostics
• Sony Music
• State Bank of the Lakes
• Stawski Distributing Co.
• Successories, Inc.
• Syntronic Instruments
• Systems Bridge LLC
• Termax
• Toner Head, Inc.
• Trail Mobile Corporation
• Turbulent Energy
• UDEX
• Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Urban Concierges, LLC
• Varian Medical Systems
• VeriClaim
• Versitech, Ltd.
• Vestor Capital
• Wayne Hummer
• The W.E. Long Co.—Independent Bakers Cooperative
• Wells Fargo & Company
• Westside Holdings, LLC
• Wintrust Financial Corporation
• Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association
• Yeomans Chicago Corporation
• Zazu Designs

Patent Services

Vedder Price’s Intellectual Property Group provides its clients with a complete range of patent services. Our patent attorneys routinely provide clients with opinions on the patentability of new developments as well as opinions on validity and infringement of existing patents for new product development and litigation.

Our intellectual property attorneys are experienced in prosecution of patent applications at all levels in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (“BPAI”) and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Many of our attorneys are former practicing engineers, giving them the capability to team-up and work closely with our clients’ technologists for minimal impact on inventor schedules. Our attorneys have also conducted interference proceedings before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.

When circumstances dictate the filing for clients of domestic patent applications and foreign counterpart patent applications, the firm prepares and files such applications in the appropriate national patent office. The firm files international patent applications for its clients under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) and also handles national patent applications filed in foreign countries based upon such PCT patent applications. In order to facilitate foreign practice for its clients, Vedder Price utilizes an established network of associates in numerous foreign countries.

Vedder Price’s patent attorneys handle licensing of patent and trade secret assets in the U.S. and foreign countries and have substantial experience in transferring, securing and valuing patent assets in connection with mergers, acquisitions and related transactions.

Business Method Patents

A continuing trend in intellectual property is the increase in companies seeking patent protection for so-called “business methods.” A wide variety of technologies, from one-click on-line shopping methods to techniques for operating hedge funds, have fallen within the rubric of business method patents. Given their recent coverage by the media, business method patents have become a hot issue to many companies seeking to protect their processes.

The experienced attorneys at Vedder Price recognize that business method patents, like all such assets, are properties that must be developed carefully, and always with an eye on the overall business goals of the client. We have significant experience advising clients on the intricacies of business method patents and are prepared to advise you on the best way to protect your valuable ideas.

Trademark Services

Vedder Price’s trademark attorneys represent clients in all facets of trademark law, counseling clients from the moment they begin to develop a product or service that requires trademark identification, through the processes of clearance, adoption and registration. The firm offers clients guidelines in the proper use of trademarks and service marks.

To assist in the initial step of evaluating proposed trademarks for their availability, the firm accesses, in-house, selected databases containing U.S. and state registrations as well as expired and pending U.S. applications. With this in-house capability, the Group’s trademark attorneys are able to give clients immediate clearance and counseling on proposed marks. The firm’s attorneys are experienced in evaluating information obtained from these sources as well as from traditional trademark search firms and guiding clients with opinions as to availability of trademark and service mark adoption and use, and registration.

The Group’s trademark attorneys routinely prepare and prosecute trademark and service mark applications, including word marks, logos and designs, composite marks and product configurations, before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The firm also handles prosecution of state trademark and service mark registrations. Attorneys handle, when necessary, appeals to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in Applications, as well as Opposition and Cancellation Proceedings in the U.S. Trademark Office and appeals of such proceedings to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The firm also handles foreign matters for clients, including trademark prosecution, oppositions and policies and reviews various international watch services for its clients. Vedder Price has a network of foreign associates covering every commercially important country in the world to assist the firm in connection with its intellectual property practice.

The firm’s Intellectual Property Group is experienced in drafting trademark licensing agreements covering services and goods offered under a mark. Attorneys also are experienced in drafting franchising agreements and disclosure documents complying with state and federal laws in connection with the franchising of clients’ marks.

Copyright Services

The explosion of data and the revolution created by computers, the Internet and electronic commerce have propelled copyright law to a significant position within our intellectual property practice.

In addition to the filing and prosecution of applications for copyright registration on publications, software, audiovisual materials and a variety of other copyrightable works, the firm has also dealt with complex legal issues involving interactive software and electronic databases, copyright ownership and protection of copyright rights in foreign countries. Vedder Price’s intellectual property attorneys have prepared publishing agreements, software licenses and end-user agreements for authors and publishers in fields ranging from music and the arts to education and construction.

The firm has prosecuted and defended copyright claims in the federal courts and has also obtained favorable resolution, in litigation and by settlement, for clients that have been accused of copyright infringement.

Litigation Services

The firm has substantial experience in all phases of patent, trademark, copyright and trademark litigation in courts throughout the United States, before the International Trade Commission and before the Patent and Trademark Office. Such litigation has included significant successful experience in obtaining temporary emergency relief when circumstances demand it. Vedder Price’s intellectual property services include evaluating the strengths of cases and negotiating successful settlements on behalf of clients in lieu of trial. We have participated in various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on behalf of our clients, and encourage the use of ADR processes to resolve business disputes.

The attorneys at Vedder Price continue to enhance their litigation expertise working for a wide range of clients, from multibillion-dollar food companies to medical associations to individual entrepreneurs.

M&A Intellectual Property Related Services

Vedder Price’s Intellectual Property Group provides its clients with value added services in connection with the transfer, securing and evaluation of intellectual property assets in connection with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and related transactions. Vedder Price’s attorneys provide experienced transactional services relating to the evaluation and securing of intellectual property assets during the early stages of identifying potential target companies or assets for acquisition/divestiture, through the final closing stage of the transaction to insure a proper IP asset risk assessment and transfer. Vedder Price offers complete due diligence services, intellectual property asset strength assessments, back stopping services for prior due diligence efforts by in-house counsel, international due diligence services and creative approaches to addressing challenges uncovered as a part of the due diligence efforts. Vedder Price attorneys use their licensing experience in information technology, patents, trademarks/serivcemarks, joint ventures and experience in practicing before the U.S. Trademark Office, U.S. Patent Office and U.S. Copyright Office to provide unparalleled assessments of potential risks in target companies or enhanced valuations for the wide array of differing intellectual property assets of a client or target company. Vedder Price uses its exceptional worldwide network of specialized foreign law firms to facilitate a smooth asset transfer and relevant asset evaluation information for international transactions.

International Network

Vedder Price has an established network of associates in virtually every industrialized country throughout the world. We have actively filed patent and trademark applications in over 50 countries around the world.

We direct our foreign associates in connection with preparing, filing, prosecuting and maintaining patents and trademarks for our clients’ international portfolios. We have long established relationships with our associates and receive reasonable and fair billings from them for the work that they perform for our clients.

Typically, we pay our foreign associates directly and invoice our clients for the invoice amount received from our foreign associates. We regularly correspond with our associates to obtain financial quotes with respect filing patent and trademark applications in their specific countries and very often times are able to negotiate discounts with them with respect to such filings.

Information Technology/Strategic Alliances

Vedder Price has been principal counsel for both vendors and users of information technology products and services. Our attorneys regularly handle a variety of agreements and matters for our clients—software development agreements, technology licensing and maintenance agreements, outsourcing agreements (mainly of data management via specialized computer software tools as well as help desk type operations and networking operations), hosting agreements, subscription agreements, multi-media content acquisition agreements, security interests in intellectual property, distribution agreements, technology transfer agreements, electronic commerce, consulting agreements, creative business ventures and strategic alliances are all matters Vedder Price attorneys handle regularly for our firm’s client base. The group also regularly assists its clients with the unique issues raised in the Application Service Provider arena.

Related Areas

Many areas of intellectual property and technology protection overlap. For example, design patents, product configuration, trade dress and copyrights may cover slightly different aspects of the same product. Therefore, it is important that legal counsel be familiar with and capable of dealing with legal problems affecting all these areas. In addition, competitive business situations have shown a need for protection by contract and for guidance in employer-employee relationships, areas of confidential information and trade secrets, competitive covenants and manufacturing agreements. All of these matters are familiar to the lawyers in the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group, who actively counsel clients with respect to various statutes and laws related to patents, trademarks and copyrights, such as the trade secret laws and state employee inventor statutes.

Additionally, our intellectual property group works frequently in the mergers and acquisitions area to provide both a sophisticated transactional expertise and a significant understanding of the importance of strategic technological and intellectual property assets.