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Representing the patent interests of technology clients is serious business. Judgment, experience and common sense are required to obtain the best results possible. With unique insight gleaned from years of representing global technology companies and the benefit of work experience in science and engineering, we have established a track record of success working with technology clients in complex and challenging patent matters. Our goal is to provide efficient and timely patent services that add maximum value to your business, while adhering to the highest standards of quality and integrity.

Add real value to your business by taking advantage of the Strategic Vision, Knowledge, Quality and Value we can bring to bear on your patent problems. In comparison to services provided by conventional IP law firms, our clients receive the following advantages:

Strategic Vision: What kind of patent protection should you seek? What is the best way to maximize the value of your patent portfolio? Where and when should you obtain patents? What do you need to know so that you or your employees will not inadvertently lose valuable patent property rights? With over 35 combined years of experience in intellectual property matters for several Fortune 500 corporations, we have developed a deep sense of how businesses can best protect technology in a cost-effective manner.

Knowledge: We have years of practical experience in science, technology and engineering, completely apart from the practice of patent law. We know how technology works in the real world, and have written and prosecuted hundreds of patent applications for Medtronic, Honeywell, Rayovac Corporation, Agilent Technologies and Avago Technologies.

Quality and Value: We strive to give our clients all the options that are available to them, and to execute their preferred courses of action with enthusiasm, diligence and timeliness. Because we do not incur the substantial overhead expenses typically associated with a law firm, and because we use technology whenever possible to increase efficiency, more time can be spent on your patent matters than would otherwise be possible. This translates directly into final products of superior quality and increased value. We draft and prosecute all patent applications personally for our clients, and no work is farmed out to inexperienced associates (which is common practice at most IP law firms). Your money goes into time spent on your intellectual property matters instead of law firm overhead (which provides no value to a client). Much of our practice now focuses on attempting to cure problems created in patent cases handled previously — and botched — by large expensive law firms.

For select corporate clients work can be done on a fixed-fee basis so that expenses may be controlled and predicted with greater accuracy. See “About Us” for further information.

About

Thomas F. Woods is a registered U.S. patent attorney with an advanced  degree in computer and electrical engineering, and bachelors and masters degrees in geophysics. He provides counseling in domestic and international patent matters, opinions, licensing, due diligence, patent portfolio analysis and management, trademarks and copyrights. Tom practices in the areas of medical technology and devices, biomaterials, semiconductors, electrical and electronic circuitry, software, e-commerce, business methods, telecommunications, electrochemical cells and batteries, optics and lasers, and oil exploration devices and techniques. He has been employed as in-house corporate patent counsel by Medtronic (nine years), Rayovac Corporation (five years) and Agilent Technologies (one year). Tom served as Medtronic’s European Patent Counsel in Maastricht, The Netherlands for three years, and managed large patent portfolios for Medtronic and Rayovac. He has considerable experience in domestic and foreign trademark issues, having managed Medtronic’s and Rayovac’s worldwide trademark portfolios. He has represented a variety of high-tech companies ranging from Fortune 100 to startup, and has varying degrees of fluency in Dutch, German, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Before attending law school, Tom gained valuable experience working as a scientist and engineer for the University of Wyoming, Schlumberger International, Amoco Production Company, Western Geophysical, Seiscom-Delta United International, the Seismograph Service Corporation and Bison Instruments. Most of his engineering and scientific experience was obtained overseas working in South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Areas of Patent Practice:

  • Medical technology and devices
  • Software, e-commerce and business methods
  • Electrical and electronic circuitry
  • Semiconductor circuit design and fabrication
  • Telecommunications
  • Electrochemical cells and batteries
  • Optics and lasers
  • Oil exploration devices and techniques
  • Outdoor Gear

Certifications/Specialities:

  • Registered U.S. Patent Attorney No. 36,726
  • Member of State Bar of Colorado
  • Member of State Bar of Minnesota
  • Member of State Bar of Wisconsin
  • California Professional Registered Geophysicist No. 949 (lapsed)

Education:

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, J.D.
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professional Development Degree in Computer & Electrical Engineering
  • University of Wyoming, M.S. Geophysics
  • University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology, B.S. Geophysics

Technical Employment:

  • Amoco Production Company, Denver, Colorado. Exploration Geophysicist
  • Western Geophysical, Gabon, West Africa. Seismologist
  • University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, Research Assistant
  • Seiscom-Delta United International, Ltd., Singapore. Seismologist
  • Seismograph Service Corporation, Houston, Texas, Wireline Engineer
  • Schlumberger International, Ltd., Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. Wireline Engineer Trainee
  • Bison Instruments, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Electronics Technician