Patent Interferences

Patent interferences (contests for priority of an invention) are fairly rare, but often times represent a critical step in the development and survival of the involved parties’ businesses and, occasionally, can determine the course of an entire industry. Interferences are a specialized area of patent law, which involves an extensive motion practice and particular procedural requirements. Rothwell, Figg’s technically sophisticated and knowledgeable team of professionals have experience handling numerous interference proceedings from declaration (and pre-declaration) through appeal involving a wide array of technologies.

Our practice covers all types of interference practice, including complex, multiparty interferences in any technology discipline, before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, in the U.S. District Courts and in appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Attorneys at the firm possess uncommon expertise in this specialized area of the law and the technical know-how to structure an interference favorable to our client’s position and steer the interference through the specialized procedural requirements of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to achieve a successful outcome.