The great American myth; think of something to invent, get it patented and the rich life is yours, just like Thomas Edison. Invent a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. It ain’t that simple. It never was and even more so today. Developing intellectual property, protecting it with a patent, defending the rights, and making money from it is much more intricate. There are patent searches, wording the claims, applications, appeals, revisions, deadlines, fees and maintenance. There are different rules for first timers, experienced product developers, large corporations, and different jurisdictions. A misstep can frustrate everything. 

Scott Sudderth, Esq.,a registered patent attorney withWomble Bond Dickinson (US), LLP will address the January 11th live online monthly meeting of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers Atlanta Metro Chapter. He will be presenting on Your Intellectual Property Assets – A Primer on Patents, Trade Secrets, Trademarks & Copyrights via the GSPE YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/GSPEng starting at 7:00 PM. The discussion will cover an overview of the types of Intellectual Property protections, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights, and the protections that these provide. The emphasis will be on patent protections; as well as the need to recognize potential protectable Intellectual Property and its possible value as an asset to yourbusiness. “The importance and value of Intellectual Property can’t be understated, and just because something may seem simple, doesn’t mean it isn’t patentable or otherwise protectable,” said Scott. As one of his clients and a good friend is fond of saying, “The solution [to a problem] once found is obvious, so you can’t disregard a new development or improvement, no matter how small or simple.”  Participants will be able to use the chat feature to pose questions during the live presentation. The meeting presentation will be recorded and available for later viewing. The presentation, like the previous presentations, will qualify for a required professional development hour (PDH). Currently registered professional engineers, those engineers aspiring to become PEs, and others engaged in engineering would benefit from the presentation. Members of the general public are also welcomed to learn about technology, engineering and public welfare.

Scott Sudderth has exclusively practiced patent, trademark and copyright law in Atlanta for 30+ years, concentrating on complex mechanical and electro-mechanical patent preparation and prosecution matters, trademark strategies and prosecution, client counseling and IP licensing in the US and internationally. He has significant experience representing clients’ interests in intellectual property litigation matters, both in US federal courts and in US Patent and Trademark Office administrative proceedings, including Inter Partes reviews, reexaminations and oppositions. Scott works closely with clients to develop intellectual property strategies that capture and monetize their valuable IP assets. Clients trust Scott to manage their US and global IP portfolios in a way that maximizes value for the company. He helps create and tailor secure computerized systems for the strategic management of clients’ intellectual property portfolios. These extranet systems allow clients to access and monitor ongoing and issued patent and IP matters in real-time as a part of their overall company IP strategy. As part of the value-added services he provides, Scott regularly conducts on-site patent and IP training presentations for clients regarding intellectual property protection issues. He has a degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University and a J.D. law degree from University of Georgia School of Law.  He is a member of the Georgia Bar Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, the International Trademark Association, and the Atlanta Lawyers Club.

Womble Bond Dickinson is a transatlantic law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers based in 27 UK and US office locations. The firm provides core legal services including commercial, corporate, employment, pensions, dispute resolution, litigation, finance, banking, restructuring, insolvency, IP, technology and data, private wealth, projects, construction and infrastructure, real estate and regulatory law. Womble Bond Dickinson has a particular focus on twelve key sectors: energy and natural resources, financial services, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, retail and consumer, transportation and infrastructure, pharmaceuticals biotechnology and life sciences, communications and technology, and wealth management.