Clean, Sustainable and Renewable Technologies

The race to develop and market clean, efficient sources of energy is among the greatest and potentially most rewarding challenges facing businesses in the 21^st century. New concepts and improved techniques in the source capture, conversion, storage, transmission and control of energy are cropping up almost daily. In this environment, investigating, securing, protecting and leveraging intellectual property is vital in determining a company’s success or failure.

Early during the industry’s development, the clean technology sector was largely collaborative and relatively free of patent disputes. But as the industry matures—and as clean technology becomes more lucrative—the field will become more competitive. Patents and other intellectual property assets will become more valuable and more at-risk, as companies seek ways to carve out a niche in the marketplace and increase market share.

In 2007 alone, more than $2.6 billion was invested in cleantech solutions by venture capitalists, according to NVCA/Thomson Financial. Even in the currently difficult economy, that number promises to grow exponentially as the federal government expands its investment in renewable, clean energy. The international market is growing as well—Chinese leaders have announced intentions to have at least 15 percent of that country’s energy produced by renewable sources by the year 2020.

Innovative Solutions

Womble Carlyle builds on a decades-old intellectual property and patent practice with cutting-edge industry knowledge gained by representing clients in the clean, alternative energy sector. We can assist your efforts in determining your rights to use, protect, defend and license your concepts. Our attorneys have assisted entrepreneurs in such emerging industries as:

 

Fuel Cells	Energy storage
Geothermal	Sustainable agriculture
Hydroelectric	Wind energy
Nuclear	Biofuels
Clean coal	Solar energy
Electric grid

We can assist clients with:

Intellectual property counseling	Due diligence
Clean technology patent preparation and prosecution	Bringing intellectual property into the market
Licensing agreements and technology transfers	IP Litigation

We also have extensive experience in international patent venues, so we can help you establish and protect your intellectual property across the globe.

Contact Bob Rhodes at (336) 574-8040 or via email to discuss your clean, sustainable and renewable technology IP concerns and to put you in touch with the team member who best meets your needs.

Our Team

Bob Rhodes—Since 1966, Bob has been instrumental in the acquisition and registration of many hundreds of patents and trademarks. In addition, he has served clients and assisted general and corporate counsel by offering opinions concerning the validity and infringement of patents, serving as an expert witness at trial, negotiating complex licenses, handling numerous pieces of intellectual property litigation, and counseling hundreds of clients as to how to best position themselves to protect their interests in the marketplace. His experience includes work involving recycling systems, wind and solar technologies.

Lou Isaf—Lou brings over 30 years of experience as a patent attorney to bear in client representation. His experience includes patent work involving solar energy, recycling and environmentally safe washing systems.

Jack Hicks— A respected patent attorney with more than 20 years’ experience, Jack also holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has extensive experience representing clients with patent matters relating to emerging technologies, including nanotechnology.

Steve Kerr—A former research physicist, Steve oversees patent portfolios for and provides strategic intellectual property counsel to numerous U.S. corporations. He has prepared patent applications both in domestic and international venues and has significant experience in appeals, reexamination proceedings, and reissue patent applications.

Scott Sudderth—Scott has two decades of experience in the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications, primarily in the areas of mechanical and electromechanical applications. His experience includes patent applications involving recycling technologies and methods.

Nanda Alapati— Nanda’s practice focuses on the acquisition and litigation of patents. He has particular experience with patent matters related to power generation and distribution, as well as power grids.

Andy Claerbout—Andy has experience drafting and prosecuting foreign and domestic patent applications relating to mechanical and electrical technologies. He has assisted clients in patent matters related to clean coal and electric grids.

Mike Cicero—Mike has nearly 20 years of experience in patent law and patent litigation. He has represented clients in a wide range of intellectual property litigation matters, including patent infringement, patent validity and trademark non-infringement.

Jim Witherspoon—Jim focuses his practice on patent application preparation and prosecution and patent-related opinion work. He has worked with clients on patent issues in the nuclear and fuel cell industries.

Lewis Rowell—For the past decade, Lewis has focused his practice on assisting clients with patent prosecutions and other patent-related matters. Lewis has extensive experience in a wide range of patent matters concerning the mechanical arts. His clients include companies in the nuclear and geothermal energy sectors.

Jake Wharton—Jake devotes his practice primarily to intellectual property dispute resolution, including patent, trademark, and copyright infringement litigation; proceedings before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board; trade secret misappropriation litigation; antitrust matters; and related intellectual property disputes.

Charles Middleton—A former patent counsel with Siemens Corporation, Charles focuses his practice on patent prosecution primarily in the mechanical arts. He has assisted clients with matters involving wind and steam turbines.