The Protectors of Cool Stuff

Michael Henson - Blockchain Technology: Applications And Intellectual Property – Ep. #15

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about blockchain technologies. Tom Marlow and Michael Henson discuss applications and intellectual property surrounding the blockchain space. Michael Henson, a Partner at Perkins Coie, provides seasoned intellectual property counsel to businesses of varying sizes that trust him to employ his wide-ranging intellectual property prosecution and litigation experience to achieve positive results. Combining extensive patent and trademark prosecution experience with a litigation background, Michael offers his clients a unique approach to their sophisticated intellectual property needs. Michael is a registered patent attorney whose practice emphases patent prosecution, patent litigation, and strategic patent portfolio management and analysis. Businesses spanning a diverse array of technologies regularly engage Michael to help develop, protect and monetize intellectual property. Michael is adept at handling intellectual property procurement, transactional, and enforcement matters in the United States and abroad, and in particular, regularly assists clients with infringement, freedom-to-operate and validity opinions, patent prosecution, trademark, and related licensing matters. Michael is also experienced in virtually all phases of patent, trademark and other types of intellectual property law, including appeals before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Michael has extensive experience in a wide variety of technological disciplines and has prepared and prosecuted hundreds of patents (or had related litigation experience) in the fields of computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, specifically including technology related to digital and analog circuits, power distribution devices, semiconductors, encryption, authentication, e-commerce, real time (streaming) communications, signal processing, data storage, graphical user interfaces, disposable medical devices, ultrasonic signal detection, vehicle systems, spinal cord stimulation, medical (oncology) revenue regeneration software, medical billing practice management systems, prosthetics, aircraft superchargers, shipping products and systems, baby goods, locking devices, hitch devices, cartridge filling apparatuses, dental devices, sporting goods, expandable/collapsible canopies and various other electrical and mechanical products, Prior to launching his legal career, Michael worked as a co-op engineer in the steel industry. He also worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, with top secret clearances, while obtaining his degree in electrical engineering. Email address: MHenson@perkinscoie.com Phone Number: (303)291-2337 Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company. Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems. Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement. Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process. Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years. Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”. Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A. He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame.

Expert Opinion: Unicorns and Rainbows - Ep. #14

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about a trademark dispute about rainbow-colored unicorn toys. We found subject matter experts to help bring an expert opinion to the discussion. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company. Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems. Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement. Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process. Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years. Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”. Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A. He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of IP Support Services for Docketing, Paralegal, and Annuity Management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both Law Firm & Corporate organizations.

Mark Peterson - Provisional Patent Applications Don‘t Need To Be Difficult Or Expensive - Ep. #13

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about provisional patent applications. Tom Marlow and Mark Peterson discuss the process of filing a provisional patent application and why they don’t need to be difficult or expensive. Mark Peterson is the Founder of My Provisional Patent – a legal technology company focused on optimizing the provisional patent application process. He is also a partner at Dicke, Billig & Czaja. Mark brings extensive patent management experience to clients in a broad range of industries. He focuses his practice on patent prosecution, opinions, appeals, and related business transactions. He has been named by his peers as a Rising Star in the legal community. Mark brings a high level of versatility to his work. Fields in which he has significant experience include electronic, electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, and process technologies. Mark has expertise in semiconductors, electrical, computer hardware and software, memory devices, telecommunications, medical devices, and business method technologies. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of IP Support Services for Docketing, Paralegal, and Annuity Management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both Law Firm & Corporate organizations.

Peter Lando - Confidentiality Agreements - Part 2 - Ep. #12

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are back talking about nondisclosure agreements with Peter Lando, the Founding Partner of Lando & Anastasi LLP. Tom and Peter continue discussing how lawyers place too much confidence in confidentiality agreements and how it is critical that the agreement is written with consideration of the context of the relationship. Peter Lando is the Founding Partner of Lando & Anastasi. Peter is consistently recognized as one of the top IP practitioners in the country. Those interviewed for the annual IAM Patent 1000 have noted that “what he brings that is truly difference making is his interest in, and ability to understand, his clients’ business goals.” In difficult negotiations, for example, Peter arrives at “creative solutions that enable deals to move forward.” One client summed it up stating that Peter is “what a lot of lawyers want to be – not just a technician who drafts patent applications, but a big-picture thinker and talented portfolio developer who understands and knows how to address the issues companies face when expanding.” Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company. Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems. Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement. Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process. Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years. Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”. Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A. He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of technology-enabled IP support services for docketing, paralegal, and annuity management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both law firm & corporate organizations. Click here to view/download our baseline NDA template: hubs.ly/H0fC8360

Ian Schick - How To Draft A Software Patent Application In 5 Hours (or Less) - Ep. #11

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about software patents and how to actually draft one in 5 hours (or less). We are joined by Ian Schick, the Co-Founder and CEO of Specifio. Tom and Ian discuss how/why Specifio was started and what the future of AI in the IP field looks like. Ian Schick is the Co-Founder and CEO of Specifio, which provides automated patent drafting services. Ian is a veteran Big law patent attorney, legal tech enthusiast, and entrepreneur with a background in physics, electrical engineering, and nano-scale optics. Ian was recently appointed the co-chair of the artificial intelligence committee for the AIPLA. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of technology-enabled IP support services for docketing, paralegal, and annuity management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both law firm & corporate organizations.

Peter Lando - Confidentiality Agreements - Part 1 - Ep. #10

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about the commoditization of nondisclosure agreements. We are joined by Peter Lando, the Founding Partner of Lando & Anastasi LLP. Tom and Peter discuss how lawyers place too much confidence in confidentiality agreements and how it is critical that the agreement is written with consideration of the context of the relationship. Peter Lando is the Founding Partner of Lando & Anastasi. Peter is consistently recognized as one of the top IP practitioners in the country. Those interviewed for the annual IAM Patent 1000 have noted that “what he brings that is truly difference making is his interest in, and ability to understand, his clients’ business goals.” In difficult negotiations, for example, Peter arrives at “creative solutions that enable deals to move forward.” One client summed it up stating that Peter is “what a lot of lawyers want to be – not just a technician who drafts patent applications, but a big-picture thinker and talented portfolio developer who understands and knows how to address the issues companies face when expanding.” Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of technology-enabled IP support services for docketing, paralegal, and annuity management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both law firm & corporate organizations. Click here to view/download our baseline NDA template: https://hubs.ly/H0fC8360

Bill White – Founder of Super Lawyers Magazine - How to Stand Out in the Legal Field | Ep. #09

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about how to stand out in the legal field. We are joined by Bill White, the founder of Super Lawyers Magazine. Tom and Bill discuss how lawyers can tell stories and deploy videos to highlight their experience / stand out from the competition. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Bill White is the founder & CEO of Reellawyers.com - the world’s first and only (as far as we can tell) all-video legal website. Bill was also the founder and publisher of Law & Politics magazine and Super Lawyers – one of the leading lawyer ratings services in the country. Bill developed the Super Lawyers selection process, which was granted a US Patent in April of 2013. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of technology-enabled IP support services for docketing, paralegal, and annuity management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both law firm & corporate organizations.

Mark Stignani - The Challenge of Whitespace / Searching for Nothing | Ep. #08

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we are talking about nothing – more specifically white space analytics. White space analytics are a lesser known analytics discipline, but are very powerful when executed correctly.  Tom Marlow is joined by Mark Stignani, Analytics Chair for Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, as they explore white space, what it is, what it is not, and how to interpret the results. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Mark Stignani is a registered patent attorney at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner. Mark has patent experience in various technology areas, including software, information systems, mobile devices, computer hardware and design, telecommunications, and mechanical. His practice includes prosecution, post-grant proceedings, patent and portfolio analysis, freedom to operate, patent strategy and planning and strategic counseling. Prior to joining Schwegman, Mark served as an Assistant General Counsel for Thomson Reuters for over ten years. While at Thomson Reuters, Mark’s responsibilities included the harvesting and protection of intellectual property associated with software and high value content as well as providing primary intellectual property legal support for business development, contracts, editorial, technology area in the legal, healthcare, and financial services information market groups.  As an integrated team member, Mark also served on various executive committees that drove investment in acquisitions, emerging business development and new product development across a multiple set of marketplaces.  Mark received his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law while working for Alliant Techsystems. He had previously done post graduate work in robotics and control systems at the University of Minnesota and National Technological University while working at Honeywell, Inc. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of IP Support Services for Docketing, Paralegal, and Annuity Management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both Law Firm & Corporate organizations.

ILTACON 2018 - Day 3 – Perspective, Persistence, and Patent Office Shenanigans| Ep. #07

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we dialed in live from ILTACON 2018. Tom Marlow, Dr. Milena Higgins, and Gyles Uhlenhopp discuss Day 3 of ILTACON. The conversation ranges from the opening keynote on stories of perspective/persistence/patience to our eventful trip to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Milena Higgins is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Artificial Intelligence for Black Hills IP. With more than 20 years of experience in Intellectual Property, she leads our Docketing and Paralegal teams to embrace change daily and always think of how to serve our customers more effectively. Inspired by the intersection of disciplines, Milena loves redesigning the delivery of legal services. By combining technology, human-centered design, and her business training together with her experience in patent litigation and prosecution, Milena guides Black Hills IP in our innovation journey to fully automated docketing. Milena has a Ph.D. in Physics and a Masters in Management of Technology. She is a registered patent agent and a certified scrum product owner. She has written for and led conference sessions for the International Legal Technology Association and was one of their three finalists for Innovative Project of the Year. When she’s not building bridges or herding cats, you’ll find her learning new lingo from her teenage kids or tweeting about the latest developments in Legal Tech, AI, and Design Thinking. Gyles Uhlenhopp is the Vice President of Marketing for Black Hills IP.  For Gyles, curiosity is king.  He is obsessed with uncovering hidden inefficiencies and energized by implementing new tactics to drive strategic growth.  He is a model ‘T-Shaped’ marketer, with deep competence in several areas.  He is equipped with the essential skills and mindset to get the job done right.  Prior to BHIP, he was leading the marketing department for a $100+ million company.  He has unique experience working with Fortune 500 companies and ushering quick innovation into stuffy industries. He begins each day at 2:45am and is always eager to tackle something new. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of Intellectual Property Support Services for Docketing, Paralegal, and Annuity Management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both Law Firm & Corporate organizations.

ILTACON 2018 - Day 2 – Dramatic Shifts In Legal Services & Delicious Irish Coffee | Ep. #06

In this episode for the protectors of cool stuff, we dialed in live from ILTACON 2018. Tom Marlow, Dr. Milena Higgins, and Gyles Uhlenhopp discuss Day 2 of ILTACON. The conversation ranges from the opening keynote on dramatic shifts in legal services to the delicious Irish coffee served in the exhibit hall. Tom Marlow is the Chief Technology Officer for Black Hills IP and is the President of Black Hills IP Renewals, our patent annuities management company.  Tom is a registered patent attorney and electrical engineer with a passion for IP systems.  Previously, Tom ran the IP department for a multi-billion dollar semiconductor manufacturing company where he oversaw worldwide IP strategy, enforcement, and procurement.  Tom taps his in-house and prior private practice experience to develop and deliver products and services that address known pain-points in the patent process.  Tom has spoken before diverse audiences from patent attorneys, to C-suite executives to engineers to startup founders on patent management, analysis, and strategy over the years.  Tom also has experience prosecuting and managing patent prosecution on a global scale and is the co-author of the Lexis published “US Patent Prosecutor’s Desk Reference”.  Tom was previously co-chair of the patent analytics and portfolio management department at the Minneapolis patent firm Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.  He received his law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Notre Dame. Milena Higgins is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Artificial Intelligence for Black Hills IP. With more than 20 years of experience in Intellectual Property, she leads our Docketing and Paralegal teams to embrace change daily and always think of how to serve our customers more effectively. Inspired by the intersection of disciplines, Milena loves redesigning the delivery of legal services. By combining technology, human-centered design, and her business training together with her experience in patent litigation and prosecution, Milena guides Black Hills IP in our innovation journey to fully automated docketing. Milena has a Ph.D. in Physics and a Masters in Management of Technology. She is a registered patent agent and a certified scrum product owner. She has written for and led conference sessions for the International Legal Technology Association and was one of their three finalists for Innovative Project of the Year. When she’s not building bridges or herding cats, you’ll find her learning new lingo from her teenage kids or tweeting about the latest developments in Legal Tech, AI, and Design Thinking. Gyles Uhlenhopp is the Vice President of Marketing for Black Hills IP.  For Gyles, curiosity is king.  He is obsessed with uncovering hidden inefficiencies and energized by implementing new tactics to drive strategic growth.  He is a model ‘T-Shaped’ marketer, with deep competence in several areas.  He is equipped with the essential skills and mindset to get the job done right.  Prior to BHIP, he was leading the marketing department for a $100+ million company.  He has unique experience working with Fortune 500 companies and ushering quick innovation into stuffy industries. He begins each day at 2:45am and is always eager to tackle something new. Black Hills IP offers a full stack of Intellectual Property Support Services for Docketing, Paralegal, and Annuity Management. Our services are enhanced by advanced technology that is custom-made for both Law Firm & Corporate organizations.