HARRIS PITLICK, a U.S. patent prosecution attorney, serves as Of Counsel in the firm's Chemical Patent Prosecution group. He brings more than 24 years of experience at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where he served as an examiner and then as an associate solicitor.
As an Associate Solicitor, Mr. Pitlick argued more than 100 appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and other appellate tribunals, and drafted the original federal regulations on deposits of biological materials, which remain in force. He was also awarded the Commerce Department's Bronze Medal Award for Superior Federal Service. Thoroughly familiar with appellate practice, USPTO examinations and USPTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI) litigation, he is able to devise strategies that work best in all forums.
Mr. Pitlick applies his deep knowledge of the USPTO inner workings and patent prosecution requirements to assist foreign and domestic clients of all sizes in establishing, protecting and optimizing their patent portfolios. Because of his vast experience at the USPTO, he is particularly skilled at crafting patent applications that give his clients the most comprehensive coverage possible.
In addition to prosecuting patents, Mr. Pitlick counsels clients on patentability, validity, enforceability, and infringement matters in the chemical arts. He has served as an expert witness on patent law and practice before the USPTO in various litigations.
Early in his career, Mr. Pitlick completed graduate work in chemical engineering and worked as a civilian employee of the U.S. Department of the Navy.
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Bar Association of the District of Columbia
Patent Lawyers Club of Washington, past president (1986-1987)
Representative Matters
Served as an expert patent witness on behalf of Apotex, Inc. in Pfizer, Inc. v. Apotex, Inc., 480 F.3d 1348 (Fed. Cir. 2007).
Accolades
Commerce Department's Bronze Medal Award for Superior Federal Service (1994)
Publications
U.S. Patent Litigation: 150 Q & A
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Some Thoughts About Unexpected Results Jurisprudence
Monday, March 1, 2004
What Does "Evidence Presented To Rebut a Prima Facie Case of Obviousness Must Be Commensurate in Scope With the Claims to Which It Pertains" Mean?
Saturday, March 1, 2003
The Mutation On The Description Requirement Gene
Sunday, March 1, 1998
Looking Beyond Blazemarks on Trees -- It's Time to Revisit the Description Requirement in the Wake of Warner-Jenkinson
Wednesday, January 1, 1997