WHAT IT IS_
What is intellectual property?
Intellectual property is comprised of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. All are protectable assets representing the end result of human creativity, such as an invention, expression, unique name, artistic work, formula or other creative embodiment.
Patents
A patent gives its owner the right to preclude others from making, using, selling or offering to sell the protected invention for a period of time set by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Trademarks
A trademark protect words, names, symbols, sounds, or colors that distinguish goods and services from others in the marketplace. Such trademark rights, with or without registration, allow the trademark owner to prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark without the owner's permission.
Copyrights
A copyright protect works of authorship such as books, written and recorded music, video games, photographs and sculpture. A copyright holder can exclude others from publishing or copying his or her works without permission or license to do so.
Trade Secrets
A trade secret protects private knowledge that gives its owner a competitive business advantage over competitors. Examples of trade secrets include manufacturing processes, client listings and formulas.
WHO WE ARE_
David A. Gottardo counsels both individuals and start-up companies, as well as established businesses, regarding the planning and execution of effective strategies for establishing and maintaining maximum intellectual property protection. He has over ten years of experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications for large and small clients, both within the United States and internationally.
David also has litigation experience regarding both patent and trademark infringement matters and has made numerous court appearances before both state and federal judges. His pre-law experience encompasses over eight years of design and project engineering, to include the design and implementation of mechanical systems for various facilities.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana and a Juris Doctor from the John Marshall Law School of Chicago. While in law school, he was a publications editor for The John Marshall Journal of Computer and Information Law and the author of a published article about antitrust law and the Internet (16 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L 125 (1997)).
David was also a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Judge Ronald Guzman of the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, where he assisted in the preparation of numerous patent infringement decisions.
David is admitted to practice law within Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as before both the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (including the Federal Trial Bar) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is also a member of the Illinois, Chicago, Wisconsin and Racine County Bar Associations.
WHAT WE DO_
Prepare & Prosecute - Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights
We prepare, file and prosecute applications for U.S. and foreign patent, trademark and/or copyright registration for both U.S. and foreign individuals and businesses.
Determine the Availability of Protection - Opinion Letters
Before investing in patent or trademark protection, we can determine whether or not such protection is available. This typically is done via a detailed comparison of your invention or mark to those already existing in the marketplace, and the preparation of a letter setting forth a detailed legal analysis of such a comparison as well as an opinion regarding the availability of patent or trademark protection in view of the comparison.
Determine Infringement or Avoidance - Opinion Letters
We can also determine whether your invention or mark infringes or avoids another party's patent or trademark rights. This typically is done via a detailed comparison of your invention or mark to those rights belonging to the other party, and the preparation of a letter setting forth a detailed legal analysis of such a comparison as well as an opinion regarding the infringement or avoidance of those rights in view of the comparison.
Litigate - Infringement & Accusations
If you are accused of patent or trademark infringement or own patent or trademark rights that are infringed by another party, we can provide assistance with such matters.
WHERE TO GO_
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
http://www.uspto.gov/
United States Copyright Office:
http://www.copyright.gov/
United States International Trade Commission
http://www.usitc.gov/index.htm
World Intellectual Property Organization
http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/what_is_wipo.html
WHO WE SERVICE (SELECTED CLIENT LISTING)_
WHERE WE ARE_
In llinois:
David A. Gottardo
Attorney at Law
918 South Kenilworth Avenue
Suite 1
Oak Park, Illinois 60304-1913
In Wisconsin:
P.O. Box 44657
Racine, Wisconsin 53404
Copyright 2011 David A. Gottardo, Attorney at Law
Monthly eNewsletters from GottardoLaw
2010-10.pdf
2010-11.pdf
2010-12.pdf
2010-09.pdf
2011-01.pdf
2011-02.pdf
2011-03_04.pdf
2011_May.pdf
2011-06.pdf
NEWS_
Oct, 2011 - U.S. Trademark Applications Filed
Two U.S. trademark applications filed by GottardoLaw.
Oct, 2011 - U.S. Patent Application Allowed
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows U.S. trademark application filed by GottardoLaw.
July, 2011 - U.S. Patent Registration Issued
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues U.S. Patent Registration No. 7,984,910 for an application filed by GottardoLaw.
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CONTACT_
dgottardo_dgottardolaw.com
www.dgottardolaw.com
www.thebigidea.us.com
O 708-763-9526
F 708-763-9527
