Patents

Alston & Bird has over 50 patent attorneys and agents who are full-time patent practitioners, making us among the largest patent practices in the nation.  During 2007, we filed approximately 1300 patent applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and approximately 500 United States patents were awarded to our clients.  We also filed 200 PCT applications and 1100 patent applications in over 30 countries throughout the world.

EXPERIENCE

Our professionals are skilled in virtually all technical areas, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemical, electronic engineering, optical engineering, computer sciences, mechanical engineering, materials sciences and the design arts.  We also offer services in the emerging areas of patent protection for business methods, financial services, insurance and other non-traditional forms of intellectual property. Patent appeals, re-examinations, reissues, interferences and other administrative proceedings also constitute a significant part of our work for clients.

Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
Business Method
Chemical & Pharmaceutical
Electrical & Computer Science
Mechanical

STRATEGIC COUNSELING

Among the most important service we provide to our clients is strategic counseling to assist with identification, acquisition, development, management and monetization of patent portfolios.  This includes identification of intellectual property that is critical to your business and securing its ownership.  Our strategic services also include incisive patent studies and mapping to identify strengths and weaknesses in patent portfolios to provide views of the patent landscapes that impact a business.  These services can be used to assist with the formulation of business plans, allocation of research and development resources, and, in general, maximizing the opportunities and minimizing the risks presented to intellectual property or business through holistic consideration of both clients' intellectual property and that of their competitors. 

RECOGNITION

In March 2007, Alston & Bird was listed again as a “Top Patent Firm” by Intellectual Property Today, placing us in the 70th percentile out of more than 350 firms included in the survey.

WHY ALSTON & BIRD?

We partner with our clients by understanding their business objectives, and then using that knowledge to assess how patent matters affect their businesses. As an integral and essential part of our clients' teams, we make our joint efforts a success by being creative in the way we work and the ideas we pursue.