Table of Contents

Message from the President Rebecca M. McNeill

Message from the Editor

Nominating Committee Report

Announcement of Selection Process for New Committee Cochairs

BIPLA Annual Meeting

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Presentation: “Introduction to Careers in IP Law”

The EPO relaxes its assessment of formal priority entitlement

Why Should I Do an FTO? – Benefits of a Diligent Freedom-To-Operate Search and Best Practices

BIPLA Breakfast with the USPTO and Copyright Office

Member Highlights

Potential Implications of US Copyright Office Determination on AI-Generated Work

List of Officers and Board of Governors

Job Listings

< Back

< Previous Article

Table of Contents

Next Article >

2023 Ⓒ Boston Intellectual Property Law Association

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Volume 54, Issue 4

Member Highlights

Michael McGurk has Joined Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds as a Senior Counsel

Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds is pleased to announce that Michael McGurk has joined the firm as a Senior Counsel. His practice focuses on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical devices, mechanical technologies, green energy, materials science, satellite technology, and fiber optics. Mike has over 32 years of experience in all aspects of patent law. Working with clients ranging from small startups to large Fortune 100 companies, he counsels due diligence matters, opinions, patent prosecution, global portfolio development, licensing matters, and other adversarial proceedings, including litigation, interferences, and AIA post-grant proceedings (PGR/IPR).

Mark Solomon, President and Principal at Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds stated, “Mike has been a leader in the Boston IP community and beyond for years. Many of us have been colleagues with Mike in the context of professional organizations and have always thought highly of him. We are proud that Mike is bringing his expertise and law practice to our firm.” Mike is currently involved with Clean Energy Venture Group (CEVG) and is a Co-Founder and former Chief Legal Officer of Arete Discoveries, Inc., a biotech research discovery firm formed to develop treatments to stop the progression of autoimmune diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mike is a graduate of George Washington University National Law Center. His education also includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds, P.C. is among New England’s largest law firms devoted to the practice of intellectual property law. The firm specializes in patents, trademarks, intellectual property litigation, copyrights, licensing, due diligence, opinions, trade secrets, and intellectual property counseling. The firm’s legal staff provides extensive scientific and technical expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, physics, optics, nanotechnology, and electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering.

John Welch Receives Esteemed President’s Award From The International Trademark Association

Nov 15, 2023

We are pleased to announce that John Welch, counsel in Wolf Greenfield’s Trademark & Copyright Practice, has received the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) 2023 President’s Award. The President’s Award is awarded annually to one or more individuals who have, over the course of their careers, made a lasting impact on INTA and its mission and who have had a profound impact on the global trademark community. John was honored at INTA’s 2023 Leadership Meeting on November 14, 2023.

“More than 1,600 registrants make this INTA’s largest-ever Leadership Meeting,” noted INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. “These awards celebrate these incredible volunteers and their contributions to our industry and community.”

Through his 30+ years of involvement in INTA, John has made invaluable contributions to the intellectual property community. John has served on The Trademark Reporter® (TMR) since 2004, co-authored the United States Annual Review issue of the TMR since 2012, and co-presented the Annual Review of US Federal Case Law and TTAB Developments at the Annual Meeting also since 2012. In 2022, John was selected as part of INTA’s Recognition of High-Performing Committee Members Program for his dedication to and advancement of the TMR Committee. As the author behind the widely read TTABlog, John’s voice is one that is listened to and respected throughout the IP community.

“The President’s Award is a wonderful honor, an exclamation point on my career as a trademark lawyer and as, in some small way, an educator,” said John. “INTA has given me the opportunity to meet and work with trademark professionals from every corner of the world, to learn all I can about trademark law and practice, and to pass along whatever knowledge and insights I’ve gained. When I consider the list of prior recipients of this award, I truly appreciate its significance.”

John has represented clients in scores of patent, trademark, copyright, unfair competition, and domain name lawsuits across the country, and has handled hundreds of opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the US Patent and Trademark Office. He is responsible for the international trademark portfolios of a number of major companies in such diverse fields as clothing and fashion, restaurant services, food processing machinery, and computer hardware and software. John also maintains an active pro bono practice. He is nationally recognized by World Trademark Review (WTR), Super Lawyers, World IP Review (WIPR), The Best Lawyers in America®, and Patexia. In addition, John is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

“John’s commitment to advancing the field of trademark and complementary IP law have left a lasting impact on INTA and the trademark community at large,” said Christina Licursi, co-chair of Wolf Greenfield’s Trademark & Copyright Practice. “His willingness to educate and empower others, including through mentorship of emerging professionals, has helped shape the next generation of trademark lawyers and fostered a culture of continuous learning and growth.”

“John's leadership in trademark law is unparalleled and he has played a pivotal role as a thought leader on UPSTO practice,” said Doug Wolf, co-chair of Wolf Greenfield’s Trademark & Copyright Practice. “His vast knowledge, honed over decades of experience, has made him a respected authority in the field and a valued member of our team.”