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Software Telecommunications and the Internet
Practice Group

The firm's Software, Telecommunications and Internet Practice Group counsels and represents clients in all aspects of intellectual property law which impact companies active in these industries. Members of the Group have a 25-year history of counseling both foreign and domestic clients in high technology industries in the areas of patents, trademarks, copyrights and related intellectual property matters. Additionally, the Group assists its clients in obtaining, protecting and enforcing these valuable intellectual property rights in the United States and overseas.

The Group includes professionals that were previously Patent Examiners (including a former Supervisory Primary Examiner) at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in relevant high-technology arts such as robotics, microwaves, communication systems and wiring systems. The Group also has attorneys with degrees in electrical and computer engineering, several of whom have practical industry experience in technologies including optical systems, semiconductors and software design. Thus, our members understand not only computer hardware and software technology, but the unique characteristics of the computer and telecommunications industries as a whole. This understanding ensures that our services are advantageous to our clients from a variety of perspectives: legal, technical and commercial.

With practical legal and industry experience, the Group is familiar with the interplay between patents and copyrights in the software, telecommunications and Internet fields. The Group's expertise includes preparation of infringement and validity opinions, licenses and technology transfers in these fields; and the Group has a highly successful track record of enforcing and defending its clients' intellectual property rights in all areas of inter partes proceedings, including litigation in Federal District Courts. The Group additionally has experience in working directly with inventors and developing intellectual property protection strategies in high-technology fields, both domestically and internationally.

We also realize the special needs of our clients in the specialized areas of obtaining and enforcing trademarks and copyrights in cyberspace. The Group's attorneys are well versed in the emerging legal issues of cyberspace law. Several members specialize in obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights in cyberspace, including multimedia, software license agreements and Internet domain name protection.

The Group has represented a multitude of international high technology clients in these areas, including AT&T (U.S.), Panasonic Communications Company, Panasonic Corporation (Japan), and AmadaSoft (U.S.).

Periodically, the Group prepares and distributes its own newsletter regarding patent, copyright and trademark issues relating to software, telecommunications and the Internet. These newsletters are available at no charge.

Additional information regarding any subject summarized in a newsletter can be requested by sending us an e-mail or by contacting Bruce Bernstein or Van Ernest.