Practice Areas & Industries: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Government contracts
Innovative companies recognize the opportunities the U.S. government provides to reach new markets and increase revenue. But this collaboration is often characterized by unique legal nuances and complexities when it comes to protecting your IP. For example, your proprietary information might be inadvertently released through the Freedom of Information Act. To protect yourself, you need a firm with experience, a firm that knows the current law, has participated in its evolution over the course of four decades, and understands where red tape may stall progress.

Finnegan has represented and worked with many federal agencies and departments—including virtually every federal research funding agency. Understanding the intricacies involved in government contracting agreements is essential when negotiating with the government. Our experience and expertise enable us to identify opportunities and challenges quickly and efficiently.

As research and development expenditures soar, public–private research has become an increasingly attractive vehicle for funding innovative research. Finnegan can help protect your interests as you obtain grants or work with national laboratories and funding agencies to research innovative solutions.

Representative Engagements

The world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines relies on us for patent protection
Since 2000, Finnegan has worked closely with the inventors and legal staff at Caterpillar Inc. The firm has prepared and is prosecuting several hundred patent applications in the U.S. and in many foreign countries. We have also assisted Caterpillar with many opinion matters involving issues of patent validity, infringement, and other subjects. During our relationship, we have also advised on intellectual property issues related to government contracts, licensing, and copyrights, and more recently, we have taken on a significant role protecting Caterpillar's well-known trademarks around the world.