Startups & Entrepreneurs

Startup companies and entrepreneurs often face significant risk and liability with respect to Intellectual Property (IP) on their path to success. Intellectual property issues arise regularly in business, particularly with startups companies, and if not addressed, permanent loss of IP rights or exposure to potential litigation may arise. McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP can help maximize opportunities while minimizing risk and liability with respect to IP issues by assisting startup companies and entrepreneurs in avoiding common pitfalls while protecting and enhancing their IP assets.

MBHB attorneys provide creative, pragmatic business solutions through a variety of intellectual property services, including litigation, prosecution, and general client counseling. We routinely counsel startup companies and entrepreneurs in developing strategies to protect their IP assets. Our attorneys are skilled in all aspects of IP prosecution, including drafting patent applications and prosecuting them before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and abroad. We assist in the development and selection of trademarks, securing trademark registrations, and establishing appropriate trademark usage for packaging and advertisement. We help startup companies and entrepreneurs in obtaining and maintaining federal copyright registrations. We are skilled in drafting, negotiating, and securing IP rights through agreements, in navigating around competitor IP, and in making companies look attractive to investors by securing IP protection. We are adept in preparing for potential litigation where necessary or avoiding it all together.

At MBHB, we counsel startup companies and entrepreneurs from the initial concept stage on how best to avoid potential IP-related missteps that can jeopardize their viability as a profitable business and limit their appeal as an acquisition or funding target. By helping companies avoid such missteps and protect their IP assets, MBHB enables companies to bring their products to market, raise capital, and resolve IP litigation and disputes that may arise in the course of business.

OVERVIEW

At McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, we work to obtain broad and comprehensive protection for our clients’ intellectual property, enhancing value through the application of our technological and legal expertise. Our practice areas encompass all aspects of intellectual property law – including litigation, prosecution, and counseling; as well as copyright, patent, trade secrets, and trademark, unfair competition and advertising law.

Each of our experienced attorneys is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. We negotiate patent licenses and help our clients establish and manage patent portfolios worldwide. Our core technical competency is extensive. Our attorneys have practical industry experience in a number of technological disciplines and product categories including cannabis, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, chemical, electrical, mechanical and materials, medical device and diagnostics, software and business methods, and telecommunications.

At MBHB, we know high-technology industries, and we know the law. We work with our clients to provide them with the benefit of our extensive knowledge and experience, so that they can rest assured that their technology assets are protected.