services

We provide advice and counsel to clients who are looking to develop effective business strategies for identifying, managing, monetizing, leveraging, expanding and protecting their valuable IP assets as well as acquiring broader IP interests. For start-ups and entrepreneurs, this “ground up” strategic planning can include a full risk analysis, including review of existing company policies and documents, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and foreign jurisdiction regulations, and legal guidance on business best practices.  It also includes areas of vulnerability, areas requiring further development, and working with clients to identify new areas to pioneer, develop and capture. For established businesses, this strategic planning can include similar analyses as well as strategic short- and long-term IP portfolio positioning for business and product growth, competitive advantage, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and many others in a custom strategic plan.

We provide a full range of service in the area of patent prosecution and protection. We undertake international and domestic prior art, patentability and freedom to operate research to ensure your invention is not already known or in use. We take the time to actively engage you to understand your invention, your competition and best position for your patent applications. We continue to engage you throughout the prosecution process until the patent is issued and beyond.  If someone uses your invention or accuses you of using their invention, we are in your corner to defend you or stop others from using your invention with a custom tailored plan to help you achieve your goals.

We also provide a full range of service in the area of trademark and service mark registration and protection. We undertake international and domestic pre-registration research to ensure your intended mark is not already registered or in use. We analyze your proposed mark, evaluate its market and legal strengths and weaknesses, and advise you as to potential consequences of using it. Once your mark is active in the marketplace, we can provide a monitoring service to detect when others use it or attempt to register a similar mark. 

If a conflict arises over your pending registration, or another party attempts to register a mark similar to yours, we will defend against or initiate a trademark opposition before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. If a dispute arises after a trademark has been registered, we will challenge on your behalf or defend you against challenges by others who claim to own a similar mark. If a company attempts to profit from your reputation by copying your trademarks or goods, we can respond immediately with cease and desist letters and, if the activities persist, we will litigate to protect your reputation and market position.      

We help our clients protect their proprietary work against infringement by properly registering their copyrights and renewing the registrations. In the event someone else lays claim to your copyrighted material, or attempts to use your work without your consent, we will advocate on your behalf to confirm your ownership. Conversely, should you be accused of infringing upon another’s copyright, we will aggressively defend your position to disprove the claim.

We understand that trade secrets are a major component of your business’s competitive edge, contributing substantially to your market position and profitability. We have expertise in all aspects of trade secrets and the complicated laws governing business practices, from helping our clients establish their trade secret protection plans and policies, to prosecuting and defending against alleged theft of trade secrets, to prosecuting and defending against claims of anti-trust, unfair trade practices, and unfair competition.

Our IP attorneys have broad experience across many industries and technologies.  In fact, many of our attorneys worked in various IP-generating industries and business before practicing law. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, we expect IP to permeate every aspect of your business; we flush IP out so we can help keep you protected and strategically positioned ahead of your competition so you to grow your business. Chances are we have first hand experience in your industry and bring real business acumen to the table so that we can apply relevant and sage legal advice to help you grow your business in an intentional and fruitful direction. Our IP attorneys have broad experience in the standard agreements such as nondisclosure agreements, master product agreements, master service agreements (including software as a service), master sales agreements, professional service agreements, reseller agreements, licenses and others as well as specialty agreements such as clinical trial agreements, technology transfer and exchange, laboratory research agreements, equipment loans, data transfer agreements, software development, data sale agreements, publisher and illustrator agreements, aviation, and many others.  We know one size does not fit all, and draft our agreements to fit your needs, business, clients and budget.  Try us, you will likely find we have the experience to craft just the right agreement for you and your business, protect your IP and help to keep your business thriving. 

We offer blockchain legal services and data privacy services. Blockchain technology, crypto, smart contracts, data security and privacy are nothing new to Lee. In fact, Lee has been working to protect the privacy and information of clients since 2001 through various legal tools. 

All businesses are legally required to evaluate the data they gather and retain, from their customers and employees, well before a breach occurs. Lee is skilled at risk assessments for clients as well as drafting and implementing privacy and data security plans to help clients minimize the risks of a data breach and mitigate the results of a data security breach. Services range from creation, assessment,  implementation and review of outward-facing privacy, data and terms of use policies as well as the internal policies and procedures for the lifecycle of data, from acquisition, to retention, to destruction cycles.

Blockchain (sometimes referred to as Distributed Ledger Technology) is more than just crypto currency. Blockchain is a powerful and secure way to hold and store information. Yes, blockchain includes is crypto currency, but it is also so much more. The new and celebrated self-executing smart contracts use blockchain technology. In fact, more and more industries use blockchain technology. Blockchain technology is already part of our everyday life, and is rapidly becoming a household word for everyday life. Lee is well poised and versed in this technology to help you and your business in this important technology with his legal services.