IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield Wolf Greenfield

Patent owners face many challenges when it comes to protecting confidential information in today’s collaborative and interconnected world. In this episode of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, attorneys Brandon Blackwell and Jason Balich discuss some of the common challenges and mistakes, as well as offer helpful suggestions for planning and safeguarding secrets. 
Brandon is a shareholder in the Chemicals & Materials Technologies Practice at Wolf Greenfield. He helps clients build and maintain patent portfolios and implement patent strategies that help them achieve their business goals. Brandon’s practice encompasses a range of areas - from patent prosecution and post-grant activities to IP transactions and portfolio management strategy.
Jason is a trial and appellate lawyer in Wolf Greenfield’s Litigation Practice. He protects clients’ technology and defends their freedom to use it. Jason’s experience includes successfully defending a variety of patent owners—from manufacturers to public universities. He also focuses his practice on trade secrets. 
Here are some highlights from this episode: 
01:05 – The speed and ubiquity of the Internet have fostered collaboration and innovation, but also increased risks
02:21 – Some of the most common mistakes made by patent owners  
03:14 – Tips for preparing an effective protection plan
05:18 – Specifying what information can be shared 
06:45 – An overview of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
11:19 – The importance of an expert IT team for sharing and protecting confidential information
12:20 – Suggestions for employee training 
14:40 – The benefits of proper information protection and the consequences of not properly safeguarding information 

Alex Ewing is featured in this first episode of Wolf Greenfield’s Alumni Spotlight series. Alex worked for Wolf Greenfield as an associate from 2011-2015. These days, Wolf Greenfield works for Alex, who is at LiquiGlide. 
Alex serves as Chief Operating Officer at LiquiGlide, which was founded in 2012 and born out of an MIT Lab. LiquiGlide’s mission is to revolutionize products, packaging, processes, and patient experiences by eliminating the friction between solids and liquids.
Here are some highlights from Alex Ewing’s turn in the Alumni Spotlight on IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield.
00:54 - Some background on LiquiGlide and its recent work with the consumer giant Colgate 
01:53 - The difference between working at Wolf Greenfield and getting involved with a start-up
04:00 - What makes LiquiGlide unique in the marketplace?
05:19 - The thrill of doing it all at a start-up
06:26 - How Wolf Greenfield provided a solid foundation for his current work
07:48 - Alex’s favorite Wolf Greenfield experiences
08:24 - Advice to young people starting their professional lives
08:52 - Alex’s favorite book

Patent Agents are experts with advanced degrees and deep insights. Not all IP law firms have patent agents. But Wolf Greenfield has long recognized that having specialists who are not attorneys on the team adds to the firm’ richness - and provides an attractive career path for non-attorneys who love the world of IP law. 
Elizabeth Boehm is a Patent Agent in Wolf Greenfield’s Biotech group. She assists the firm in biotechnology patent prosecution, and has extensive knowledge in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology and biophysics. 
In this episode of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, Elizabeth shares her thoughts on the life of a patent agent at Wolf Greenfield. Here are a few of the highlights:
01:12 - What attracted Elizabeth to the career of patent agent?
02:16 - A day in the life of a patent agent
03:54 - Wolf Greenfield as a leading firm for patent agents
05:12 - Feels liberating to be a patent agent
07:10 - Patent agents use their science degrees everyday
07:57 - Having a “seat at the table” in the biotech group
09:45 - What makes the patent world intriguing?
10:31 - Elizabeth's advice for STEM professionals considering a career as a patent agent

Keeping tabs on the International Trade Commission is critical for any business engaging in trade across the US border. And in recent months, there has been a great deal of news coming out of the ITC, from compelling cases to turnover of Administrative Law Judges.

In this episode of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, Attorney Libbie DiMarco shares her thoughts on the latest developments at the ITC. Here are a few of the highlights:
01:07 - Background at Wolf Greenfield
02:13 - ITC issues through the years
04:15 - The ITC had to make significant adjustments because of Covid
06:35 - The pros and cons of relying more on spoken testimony and less on written testimony
09:02 - The ITC recently appointed its third Administrative Law Judge in three years. What’s the impact of this kind of turnover?
11:03 - An overview of the Kyocera case and the implications of the Federal Circuit’s ruling against the ITC with a precedential decision for the Japanese electronics company.

Attorney Jonathan Roses is a shareholder in Wolf Greenfield’s Pharmaceutical Practice Group. He works with life sciences companies in a variety of areas, including small molecule pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical formulations, medical devices and surgical methods.
In this episode of IP Talk with Wolf Greenfield, Jon provides insights on a variety of topics, including international patent prosecution, Section 101 reforms, Orange Book challenges and “skinny labels." Here are a few of the highlights:
00:41 - Jon’s love of chemistry 
04:16 - Current challenges in patent procurement 
06:01 - Strategies for protecting IP and how to minimize risk 
07:52 - Key considerations for international patent prosecution 
10:48 - Why have there been fewer challenges to Orange Book patents at the USPTO?
12:53 - Induced infringement trends - what’s happening with “skinny labels,” aka Section 8 carve-outs?
16:15 - An update on potential reforms for Section 101, the issue of patent eligible subject matter 
19:14 - Will the Supreme Court take any challenges to patent eligible subject matter?
20:12 - How the increase in discretionary denials of post-grant proceedings impacts patent holders.
23:08 - Some thoughts on the success of Wolf Greenfield’s post-grant group

Many Wolf Greenfield attorneys were accomplished professionals in other fields before pursuing a career in IP law. A great number of them went through the firm’s technology specialist—or tech spec—program. A technology specialist translates into words the often complex work of inventors who are experts in their fields. At Wolf Greenfield, our technology specialists interact with clients frequently and are visible members of our client teams. 
 In this episode of IP Talk, Shareholder and Wolf Greenfield tech spec program alum Heather DiPietrantonio shares her experience and advice to those considering the program.
00:58 - What the tech spec program consists of
 01:35 - Why someone might want to make the transition to IP law
 02:42 - Heather discusses her journey from science to Wolf Greenfield
 03:53 - The ideal qualities of a tech spec candidate
 04:35 - Benefits of the tech spec program
05:23 - Heather addresses challenges of the program and how to overcome them
06:46 - Along with a wealth of knowledge, the tech spec program helps build relationships
07:22 - Advice to someone considering the tech spec program