J. DEREK MASON, Ph.D., a chemical industry IP attorney, is a partner in the Chemical Patent Prosecution practice group. Dr. Mason focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution, client counseling and opinions on intellectual property issues arising in corporate transactions.
A former chemist with a doctorate in organic chemistry, Dr. Mason works with both companies and other law firms, advising on a broad range of intellectual property concerns. He conducts due diligence investigations and risk assessment with respect to intellectual property ownership in corporate mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, he helps both foreign and domestic companies to establish and develop patent portfolios, avoid infringement when launching new products, and formulate and implement procedures to protect their innovations and enhance their use and value.
Dr. Mason represents both international and domestic clients on a wide array of chemical and related technologies including medical and biotech diagnostic devices, polymers, nanotechnology, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. He also counsels on creative design-around strategies, and the interplay of utility and design patents, trade-secret protection, and litigation avoidance.
Dr. Mason's thorough understanding of the sciences and technical aspects of his clients' innovations enables him to skillfully represent their interests. While achieving his doctorate and undergraduate degrees, Dr. Mason studied organometalloid chemistry and conducted research in the area of organic photochemistry, publishing and presenting papers in both of these areas. He also worked for three years as a chemist for a diversified international chemical company.
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
American Chemical Society
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Licensing Executives Society
Virginia Bar Association
Accolades
Phi Beta Kappa (1983)
Phi Eta Sigma (National Freshman Honor Society) (1980)
Alpha Chi Sigma (National Chemistry Fraternity) (1982)
Resources
Publications
Arbitration: A Quick And Effective Means For Patent Dispute Resolution
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Arbitration Of Patent Disputes In The United States
Thursday, September 15, 2011
U.S. Patent Litigation: 150 Q & A
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Arbitration: A Quick and Effective Means for Patent Dispute Resolution
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Protecting the Intangible: Managing Intellectual Property through M&A
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Economic Espionage Act: Federal Protection For Corporate Trade Secrets
Monday, March 1, 1999
The Economic Espionage Act: A Prosecution Update
Wednesday, July 1, 1998
The Economic Espionage Act: A New Federal Regime Of Trade Secret Protection
Wednesday, January 1, 1997
Events
LES (USA & Canada) 2011 Annual Meeting
Sunday, October 16, 2011 - Wednesday, October 19, 2011
LES USA & Canada 2010 Annual Meeting: IP for Corporate Business Strategy
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Advanced Patent Licensing 2008: What You Need to Know Before Licensing Your Patent
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Nanotechnology Patents and Copyrights: Strategies for Securing and Protecting IP Rights
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Intellectual Property in Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions: The New 800 Pound Gorilla?
Thursday, February 23, 2006
7th Annual Intellectual Property Law Symposium: Going Global: IP Challenges in the 21st Century
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Presentations
Developments in US IP Law Affecting Licensing
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Developments in US IP Law Affecting Licensing
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Advanced Patent Licensing 2008: Critical Issues in Joint Development Agreements
Monday, June 30, 2008
Securing IP Rights in Nanotechnology - Best Practices
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Growing Importance of IP in Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions
Thursday, January 19, 2006