Andrews Kurth Files Amicus Brief in Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Pulse Electronics, Inc., et al.

(Washington, DC)—On December 16, 2015, Matthew Dowd, Eric Osborne and Sushila Chanana filed an amicus brief on behalf of Adam Mossoff, a Professor of Law at George Mason University Law School and widely-respected scholar on patent law and policy. The amicus brief supports neither side, but rather clarifies the historical record on patent licensing and litigation in Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Pulse Electronics, Inc., et al. 

The issue in the case concerns the award of enhanced damages for patent infringement under 35 U.S.C. §284. The amicus brief focuses on two main objectives: providing an overview of patent licensing and the marketplace for patented innovation in the nineteenth century, and disproving the premise that patent litigation rates are at an all-time high, two topics on which Professor Mossoff has written extensively. 

“The amicus brief summarizes the scholarship and academic work of Professor Mossoff and others who have examined the historical record and detailed how important patent licensing and the patent marketplace were in the nineteenth century,” says Mr. Dowd. “The brief provides the Supreme Court with an important historical perspective so it can accurately understand certain contentions about increased patent litigation.” 

About the Patent Prosecution Practice at Andrews Kurth

Andrews Kurth boasts nearly 20 full-time lawyers and patent agents licensed to practice before the United States Patent & Trademark Office with substantial experience prosecuting patent applications and assisting clients in developing effective strategies for the development and protection of intellectual property. 

Our experienced and highly trained patent lawyers and agents consistently represent some of the world’s largest technology companies, for which we have successfully prepared and prosecuted thousands of patent applications. Our services include preparation and prosecution of domestic and foreign patent applications across a full spectrum of technologies. Our attorneys have developed particular expertise in the wired and wireless telecommunications, cellular telephony and consumer electronics industries. We also have significant experience with business method inventions and the offensive and defensive use of patent reexamination proceedings.

In addition to assessing patent rights and procuring patent protection, we regularly negotiate and prepare a full range of agreements related to inventions, patents or patent applications, including development, manufacturing, joint venture and/or license agreements. We treat IP assets aggressively and creatively to help our clients realize maximum opportunity through the structure, protection and deployment of their portfolios. We represent clients in transactions involving the grant of security interests in inventions, patents and patent applications, or the assignment, purchase or sale of these critical assets.

As released by the former Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP