Intellectual Property

Patent Application Prosecution:
I prefer to work with creative inventors, Good promoters and savvy business people.
Litigation Patent, Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secret:
Somebody who can afford economic litigation or one who owns a valid patent that is being infringed by a viable business in the United States.
Employer & Employee Intellectual Property Ownership Disputes:
Employees

• Copyrights
• International Intellectual Property
• Technology Licensing
• Trade Dress
• Trademarks
• Trade Secrets

• Biotech & Medical
• Business Process
• Electronics & Computer
• Internet Patents
• Mechanical
• Patent Design
• Technology & Engineering

CA, Dec 1972
Bar Number: 54217

Register Patent Attorney NO. 24,911 since 1968

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal
U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
U. S District Court for the Northern District of California
U. S District Court for the Central District of California
U. S District Court for the Southern District of California
California Supreme Court

San Mateo County Bar Association

I have complied with the continuing education requirements mandated by the California State Bar.

As a Member of an ABA Committee for the Patent, Trademark & Copyright Section, I wrote a committee article dealing with the issues confronting an employed inventor.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,012,396 & 5,235,497 revolutionized lighting in video and television studios;
U.S. Patent Nos. 3,983,777 & 3,983,778 covering the pickups for the Grateful Dead guitars
U.S. Patent Nos. 3,946,332, & 4,088,966, the basis for laser welding systems.

Most recently, U.S. Patent No. 7,028,947 for a self-powered, tethered decoy for heat-seeking transport aircraft missile defense.

These are patents which can be found and reviewed at http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html They also represent, in most of the examples cited, successful conclusions of patent applications initially drafted by the client.
I also have successfully prosecuted an icy roads personal injury action against Nevada County (Curnow v. Nevada County) recovering in excess of $500,000. I filed and prosecuted in Nevada County Superior Court Nevada City, California

1

California

My law firm was founded in 1973 after determining that San Francisco Patent firms did not want general practitioners and San Francisco General Practice firms did not want patent attorneys. I found a like-minded, older, patent and general practitioner, George B. White, now deceased, who invited me to rent an office down the hall from his at $50/mo. on the 8th floor of the Grant Building 1095 Market Street (7th & Market) San Francisco, CA. I rented the office, purchased an IBM Electric typewriter, and hired a secretary who shared George's reception /secretarial area. After Mr. White's death I moved my office and staff (secretary & word processors) sharing high rent office space with other general practitioners on the 3rd Floor of 4 Embarcadero Center in San Francisco. I was the only patent attorney.

Overwhelmed by staffing, personnel problems and high office rent in San Francisco, I took my practice and client base to San Jose associating with the Law Firm of Hamerick, Hoffman, Guillot & Kazabowski which disintegrated at the end of 1986.

In 1987, I opened my office in San Mateo, CA with two computers and no office staff, and I have been happily and successfully serving the demands, and needs of clients and paying my bills ever since. The computers have evolved but not the staff.

1966-1967 Idaho Nuclear Corporation: Reactor Operator Engineer
1968-1972 Lawrence Livermore Laboratory: Patent Agent / Engineer
1973 - 1983 Solo General Practice San Francisco CA both Patent Trademark & Copyright emphasis
1983 - 1987 Associate Patent Attorney with Hamerick, Hoffman Guillot & Kazabowski Law Firm in San Jose , California
1987- 2006 Solo General Law Practice with emphasis in Intellectual Property Fields in San Mateo, California

I volunteer as an Arbitrator for the San Mateo County Bar Association arbitrating Attorney-Client Fee Disputes.

None

(650) 348-8655

Monday through Friday
10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Yes

None

Online Trademark Application $150 & filing fees; Copyright Registration Application: $150 & filing fees; Contingent Fee Matters: Costs must be paid by client
Retainer Fees required, amounts negotiable

Patent Application Preparation & Prosecution: $175/hr.
Litigation: Pleading & discovery phase: $165/hr.
Litigation: Pretrial motions & trial: $200/hr.
Litigation: Appeal $175/hr.
Office Consultation: $150/ hr.
Preparing Agreements: $175/hr
Correspondence: $150/hr.
Transactional and negotiation work: $200.00/hr.

The initial consultation is free if either the client or I determine my services are not required. If retained, I will not access any charge for time spent determining if I can be of service.

Up to $2,500.