What do NIKE’s KD 7 basketball shoes, Microsoft’s Xbox game controller with a removable thumbstick and Spectrum Brand’s sleeve for the XL Blast Drink Machine blender have in common?
All three are protected by design patents that were granted on the day Banner & Witcoff broke its own record for the most design patent grants in a single year. According to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records, the firm procured 1,032 U.S. design patents in 2016. The firm set the prior record with 959 U.S. design patents in 2008.
Banner & Witcoff also obtained more U.S. design patents than any other law firm in the country for the 14th consecutive year. The firm worked to protect many popular and prominent designs for longtime clients NIKE and Microsoft, and continued to expand its design patent practice by procuring portfolios of 30 or more design patents for 25 different companies, including Electrolux, Nokia and Toshiba.
“This is the first time our firm, or any firm, has procured more than 1,000 design patents in just one year, which is a clear indication that clients are stepping up their efforts to protect their designs,” said Robert S. Katz, a principal shareholder at Banner & Witcoff. “We feel privileged to assist these innovative designers and companies, and will continue to help them take the steps needed to procure the highest quality design patents.”
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows that Banner & Witcoff obtained 8,947 U.S. design patents in the last decade — a total that exceeds that of the next three highest law firms combined.
Banner & Witcoff also continues to lead in procuring international design patent portfolios. The firm has filed hundreds of design registrations in the World Intellectual Property Office for clients who reside in member countries of the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs. The firm began seeking the same international protections for U.S. clients once the USPTO put procedures in place for accepting Hague System applications in May 2015.
About Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
A national intellectual property law firm with more than 100 attorneys and 95 years of practice, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., provides legal counsel and representation to the world’s most innovative companies. Our attorneys are known for having the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex patent applications as well as handle and resolve difficult disputes and business challenges for clients across all industries and geographic boundaries. For more information, please visit www.bannerwitcoff.com.
Please direct all media inquiries to Amanda Robert at (312) 463-5465 or arobert@bannerwitcoff.com.
Posted: January 30, 2017
