Eric J. Maiers focuses his practice on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, Internet, and domain name matters, with an emphasis on patent prosecution and patent litigation in areas of computer hardware and software, business methods in eCommerce/Internet, electrical circuits, and semiconductors. His diversified experience involves all aspects of intellectual property, including managing patent and trademark portfolios, analyzing technology for patent pursuit strategies, overseeing the invention disclosure process, preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent, trademark, and copyright applications, preparing infringement and patentability opinions, enforcing and/or defending proprietary IP positions through litigation, the acquisition and sale of intellectual property, licensing agreements, and Internet-related transactions.
Areas of Concentration
· Patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution
· Patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret litigation
· Intellectual property transactions, including licensing agreements and analysis for IP due diligence matters
· Technical areas of experience
- Electrical circuits, both analog and digital, including memory controllers, temperature sensors, and amplifiers
- Computer software, including file system level software, operating system level software, application level software, application programming interfaces, graphical user interfaces, client/server applications, and video codecs
- Computer hardware, including rack server design and hard drive design
- Business methodology, particularly in eCommerce and other Internet-related areas
- Networking systems, including both network hardware and software
- Semiconductors and their methods of fabrication
- Cellular phone hardware, software, and communication protocols
- Digital video recorder (DVR) software
- Digital TV signal processing
Significant Representations
· Obtained early, favorable settlement in defense of patent infringement suit relating to mobile music identification technology. Tune Hunter, Inc. v. LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. (E.D. Tex. 2009)
· Obtained dismissal of patent infringement suit through a pre-answer motion for summary judgment. Furnace Brook, LLC v. Aéropostale, Inc., Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc., and Levi Strauss & Company.
Professional & Community Involvement
· Member, Illinois State Bar Association
· Member, American Bar Association