IP Overview

PTO: Interferences

Attorneys

News & Publications

Related Practices Alternative Dispute Resolution Appellate Litigation International Licensing & Licensing Programs Patent Litigation Patent Prosecution & Applications Portfolio Evaluation and Management PTO: Interferences Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition Litigation Trademark & Copyright Litigation Trademarks, Copyright, Prosecution, & Licensing Transactional Counseling

Industries Served Biotechnology Chemical Consumer Products & Services Electronics, Computers & Software Financial Services Internet & e-Commerce Materials Science Mechanical Engineering Medical Devices Nanotechnology Pharmaceutical Semiconductor Processing & Devices Telecommunications Transportation

An interference before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is a specialized proceeding to determine which of two or more competing inventors is entitled to a patent. The Intellectual Property Group of Ropes & Gray is a dominant force in this arena, applying its considerable scientific and litigation capabilities.

Our attorneys are significantly experienced in all aspects of interference practice, including pre-interference strategy, preliminary statements and preliminary motions, taking testimony and assembling evidence and final hearing. We are also skilled at handling appeals of decisions of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, and integrating a client's interference practice with its overall litigation strategy.

For several years, we have taken part in numerous interferences involving technologies as diverse as semiconductors, catalysis and polymerization, antigens and antibodies, laser medical technology, voice storage systems, disk drives, organic LEDs, radio circuitry, metal alloys and mail handling equipment. We have represented interference clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations, to start-up entrepreneurial ventures, to individual inventors.

Representative Experience

• We have represented Biogen (now Biogen Idec) in numerous interferences against a variety of commercial competitors, research institutes and academic institutions.
• Our attorneys represented Cell Genesys in an interference against Genentech regarding DNA encoding a leukocyte homing receptor polypeptide.
• Our team represented a Fortune 50 chemical company against Dow Chemical in District Court patent infringement actions, 10 related interferences, and appellate proceedings, all regarding metallocene catalysts.
• We represented General Electric in an interference against Sunoco regarding advanced process technology for synthesis of phenols.
• We represented Joint Medical Products in an interference against British Technology Group regarding orientable acetabular cups for hip implants.

---

©2008 Ropes & Gray LLP. All rights reserved.