Few assets are as important to an organization as its patents, which often provide the basis for a company's competitive advantage in the marketplace. The Intellectual Property Group at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP recognizes that a successful patent portfolio can make an important contribution to a company's bottom line. Our attorneys work with clients to recognize the potential value of their patent portfolio and how best to use a company's intellectual assets to achieve its overall business objectives. We also work with companies to assess the patent landscape, helping them to realize strategic opportunities to protect future innovation and market position and to thwart competitors.
We recognize that many companies must protect their products against copying in order to thrive. Patenting key inventions can help keep competitors at bay. But a patent is not an end in itself; it is a tool to be used as part of the company's overall strategy in order to achieve the company's ultimate business objectives. Our attorneys work with clients to understand the value of their patent portfolio, to enhance their patent position and to use their patents to protect and grow their business.
Whether a client is launching a new product line or developing an extension to grow or revive an existing brand or product line, our attorneys help clients through each step of the product development process. We help clients negotiate technology development agreements. We also help clients enhance the protectability of their products. We assess the patents of others to determine whether patent protection is available and to help our clients avoid infringement on others' patent rights. If patent protection is available, we represent clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to patent their invention. Our attorneys have considerable experience drafting patent applications relating to a wide range of products, devices and technologies.
In order to maximize the capabilities of a company's patent portfolio, we help clients maintain a successful patent enforcement strategy. Our attorneys have litigated infringement suits involving a wide range of technologies, including computer software, consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and electronic components, in diverse industries in courts around the nation.
We also help clients assess and pursue patent licensing opportunities that can advance the client's overall business strategy and objectives. Our attorneys have advised clients with a variety of licensing arrangements, including in-bound and out-bound licenses, product licenses to manufacture and sell technology, joint development licenses and cross licenses to resolve patent disputes. We have negotiated licensing arrangements for a variety of products, technologies and industries.