<div dir="ltr"><div>I disagree with Richard.  <i>Solomon</i> doesn&#39;t come right out and say it, but it&#39;s there a millimeter below the surface -- the client hires the whole lawyer, not just part, not the lawyer with the technological brain hemisphere removed.  <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3060703343000303777">https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3060703343000303777</a>   If you as the technologically trained lawyer see an improvement, disclose it, and claim it.  I would not name myself inventor, but others could take a different view.</div><div><br></div><div>I think <i>Solomon</i> says clearly that there&#39;s no obligation to name yourself as an inventor.  What more do you (Mr Strassman) need?<br></div><div><br></div><div>The problems with naming yourself inventor are --</div><div>    (a) it&#39;s almost certain to lead to a waiver of privilege</div><div>    (b) your likelihood of being deposed goes from very low, only if there&#39;s already a plausibel basis for inequitable conduct, to certain.  And once you&#39;re in the hot seat, there are very few limits on what you can be asked.</div><div><br></div><div>Weigh those two risks against -- what advantage?<br></div><div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 12:40\u202fPM Richard Straussman via Patentpractice &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>

  
    
  
  <div>
    <font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">If the Inventor&#39;s answer
      after trying to get recognition in multiple ways (and not
      surprisingly, given his background) answered, &quot;Do you envision
      that this could be \u2026 ?&quot; would have been &quot;Heck no. Never in a
      million years!&quot;  Then, in my view, that should have been the end
      of it.  The attorney should not have contributed that entirely
      different innovation.  I agree that would be true inventing and
      well outside of the attorney&#39;s role.  <br>
      <br>
      That is in sharp contrast to a circumstance where, for example, a
      part is linearly moved by a mechanical actuator and the inventor
      (who knows nothing about electronics) is asked whether a solenoid
      could be used in place of the mechanical movement, but the
      attorney knows they are interchangeable and it is a trivial,
      non-inventive, swap.  Irrespective of what the inventor says, I
      would include the solenoid, or state something like, &quot;while the
      linear actuator is shown as a mechanical device, the important
      aspect is the linear movement, not the device used to supply it,
      so it is to be appreciated that suitable electronic or other
      devices that can provide the same linear movement can
      alternatively be used.&quot;<br>
      <br>
    </font>
    <div>
      <span><strong>Richard Straussman</strong></span><span><span><strong><br>
          </strong></span> </span><strong><span>Senior
          Counsel</span><span><strong><br>
          </strong></span> <span>Registered Patent Attorney</span><span><br>
        </span></strong> <span>Member NY, NJ &amp; CT Bars</span><span><br>
      </span> <span><strong>. . . . . . . . . . . . . .</strong></span>
      <span></span> <span><br>
      </span> <span><strong>Weitzman Law Offices, LLC</strong></span><span><span><br>
        </span> <span><strong>Intellectual Property Law</strong></span><span><br>
        </span> <span>425 Eagle Rock Avenue, Suite 401</span><span><br>
        </span> <span>Roseland, NJ 07068</span><span><br>
        </span> <span><strong>direct line</strong></span> <span>973.403.9943<br>
        </span> <span><strong>main</strong></span> <span>973.403.9940<br>
        </span> <span><strong>fax</strong></span><span></span> <span>973.403.9944</span><span><br>
        </span> <span><strong>e-mail</strong></span><span></span> <span><a href="mailto:rstraussman@weitzmanip.com" target="_blank">rstraussman@weitzmanip.com</a></span><span><br>
          <br>
        </span> <span><strong><a href="http://www.weitzmanip.com/" target="_blank">http://www.weitzmanip.com</a><br>
          </strong></span> <span><br>
        </span><br>
        <br>
        <br>
      </span>
    </div>
    <div>On 12/10/2024 12:25 PM, Patent Lawyer
      via Patentpractice wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type="cite">
      
      
      
      
      <div>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks all for the responses and
          interesting discussion.<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">First, I will follow David Boundy&#39;s
          guidance.<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">But let me give a little more context in
          light of some other responses.<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">In this case, the invention is purely 100%
          mechanical.  It relates to an improvement of a device that has
          existed for over 100 years.  The inventor&#39;s expertise and
          background are all mechanical.   He has zero background in
          electrical or computer-related technology.<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">The patent attorney has expertise and
          qualifications in electrical and computer-related
          technologies.<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">During drafting, the patent attorney
          recognized that the 100% purely mechanical device could be
          combined with a particular type of electrical device.  This
          combination is useful.  But it was entirely out of the realm
          of the inventor&#39;s knowledge or technical background.  The
          inventor would not have realized the problem, let alone
          contemplated the solution.  In this case, the patent
          attorney&#39;s contribution was not &quot;a particular
          embodiment/application/combination \u2026 contemplated by the
          inventors.&quot;  The inventor&#39;s honest answer to &quot; Do you envision
          that this could be \u2026 ?&quot; would have been &quot;Heck no. Never in a
          million years!&quot;<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">As to the question: &quot;What&#39;s the potential
          advantage of naming the attorney as an inventor?&quot;<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Well, what if ten years from now, the
          invention makes a bazillion dollars, and the attorney wants
          his share?   Or maybe the patent attorney&#39;s heirs want his
          share?<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Or what if the inventor is in his 30s, and
          the patent attorney is 65 years old, and the application can
          get special treatment in the USPTO?<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">[I once took over the prosecution of an
          application that named two inventors, father and son.  While
          the father had the right technical qualifications, I was sure
          he was named just to get the special &quot;over 65&quot; treatment in
          the USPTO.]<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">Or what about all the arguments made here a
          few weeks ago about over-inclusion of inventors rather than
          under-inclusion? [Per Carl&#39;s recent email]<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">But again, I will follow Boundy&#39;s advice.<u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal">P.S. Last year, I had dinner with an ex and
          an old client.  I&#39;d worked with him in 1994-95, and got him 5
          or 6 patents.  His invention (at a small company) made the
          company a lot of money through patent enforcement and
          licensing.   At one point in the dinner, he got very earnest
          and said he had something to get off his chest.  Something he
          had felt bad about for almost 30 years.  He said he always
          felt I should have been named an inventor.  The breakthrough
          in the invention came from something I&#39;d asked during one of
          our initial meetings.  It gave him an insight that he&#39;d not
          previously had, and it was the way the invention was
          implemented and claimed. Had I been named as an inventor, I
          would just have assigned the invention to the client anyway. 
          Maybe it would have been nice to be named on those patents,
          but that is just about vanity.  I told him it was no big deal
          and I still paid for dinner. 
          <u></u><u></u></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
        <div style="border-width:1pt medium medium;border-style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(181,196,223) currentcolor currentcolor;padding:3pt 0in 0in">
          <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">From:
              </span></b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif;color:black">Patentpractice
              <a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">&lt;patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com&gt;</a> on
              behalf of Patentpractice Patentpractice
              <a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">&lt;patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com&gt;</a><br>
              <b>Reply-To: </b>Patentpractice Patentpractice
              <a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">&lt;patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com&gt;</a><br>
              <b>Date: </b>Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:05 AM<br>
              <b>To: </b>Patentpractice Patentpractice
              <a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">&lt;patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com&gt;</a><br>
              <b>Cc: </b>David Boundy <a href="mailto:PatentProcedure@gmail.com" target="_blank">&lt;PatentProcedure@gmail.com&gt;</a><br>
              <b>Subject: </b>Re: [Patentpractice] Patent lawyer as
              inventor on client&#39;s application?<u></u><u></u></span></p>
        </div>
        <div>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        </div>
        <div>
          <p class="MsoNormal">Yes.  Exactly and emphatically. 
            Different facts and different case law leads to different
            outcomes.<u></u><u></u></p>
        </div>
        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
        <div>
          <div>
            <p class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Dec 10, 2024, 8:51 AM Carl
              Oppedahl via Patentpractice &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;
              wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
          </div>
          <blockquote style="border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;border-style:none none none solid;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in">
            <div>
              <p>While we are on this topic.   It was just a few weeks
                ago that many members of this listserv piled on top of
                each other, urging to anyone who would listen that if
                you had to make a mistake with your inventor list, it
                absolutely was better to commit the sin of misjoinder
                than nonjoinder.  That if you are going to make a
                mistake with your inventor list, there are a seemingly
                infinite number of risks and downsides and traps for the
                unwary if your mistake were to be in the direction of
                failing to include some otherwise possibly deserving
                name on your inventor list.  That a mistake the other
                way (perhaps including some name on the inventor list
                that might arguably not belong there) was by far the
                less risky, had virtually no downsides, and did not give
                rise to traps for the unwary.<u></u><u></u></p>
              <p>And yet now (I have not been keeping close score on
                this) it seems that many of the same members of this
                listserv are urging that no matter how deserving the
                attorney might be to get included on the inventor list,
                the correct next step is nonjoinder.<u></u><u></u></p>
              <div>
                <p class="MsoNormal">On 12/10/2024 8:38 AM, Jeffrey
                  Semprebon via Patentpractice wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
              </div>
              <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                <div>
                  <div>
                    <p class="MsoNormal">Where I&#39;ve had this issue arise
                      has been where, while drafting the application,
                      I&#39;ve seen either a way to work around the narrower
                      claims based on the inventor&#39;s disclosed
                      embodiments or a way to accomplish the same
                      functional limitation with a simpler structure
                      than used by the inventors (or both). <br>
                      <br>
                      Suppose that the client likes whatever
                      modification/alternative well enough to put it
                      into a dependent claim, and then during
                      examination it turns out that such limitation is
                      needed to distinguish over prior art found by the
                      examiner. In that case, does failing to name the
                      practitioner as inventor invite any risk if the
                      named inventors will have to truthfully state
                      during depositions that the practitioner was the
                      one who thought of that limitation?
                      <u></u><u></u></p>
                    <div>
                      <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                    </div>
                    <div>
                      <p class="MsoNormal">-Jeff<u></u><u></u></p>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                  <div>
                    <div>
                      <div>
                        <div>
                          <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                            Jeffrey E. Semprebon<br>
                            Registered Patent Agent (mechanical) looking
                            for remote work<u></u><u></u></p>
                        </div>
                        <div>
                          <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:jesemprebon@gmail.com" target="_blank">jesemprebon@gmail.com</a><br>
                            72 Myrtle Street<br>
                            Claremont, New Hampshire 03743<u></u><u></u></p>
                        </div>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
                <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                <div>
                  <div>
                    <p class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 7:40\u202fAM
                      David Boundy via Patentpractice &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;
                      wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
                  </div>
                  <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                    <div>
                      <div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal">Let me stress that.  As far
                          as I know, there are no countervailing
                          benefits to be had or risks avoided by naming
                          the agent/attorney as inventor.  It&#39;s 100%
                          downside.  Don&#39;t do it.<u></u><u></u></p>
                      </div>
                      <div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                      </div>
                      <div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal">Another experience, I was
                          not directly involved in the case, but I was
                          in-house counsel at eSpeed during appeal
                          phase.  
                          <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11175138575348740529" target="_blank">
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11175138575348740529</a>
                          (then look at the D Delaware cases).  The
                          problem was that the lawyers (Fish &amp;
                          Neave) mixed up who was wearing which hat,
                          between inventors, company management, and the
                          lawyers.  That metastasized into a
                          comprehensive subject matter waiver.  And
                          because of that, a tiny little document was
                          produced, and that turned into inequitable
                          conduct, and losing the case.  eSpeed had had
                          a monopoly in its market.  And then it didn&#39;t.<u></u><u></u></p>
                      </div>
                      <div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                      </div>
                      <div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal">It&#39;s REALLY important to
                          understand role pigeonholes or information
                          compartmentalization, and keep everybody in
                          their pigeonholes.<u></u><u></u></p>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                    <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                    <div>
                      <div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at
                          6:22\u202fAM David Boundy &lt;<a href="mailto:PatentProcedure@gmail.com" target="_blank">PatentProcedure@gmail.com</a>&gt;
                          wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
                      </div>
                      <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                        <div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">I disagree with Judith
                              and Carl.  It&#39;s a MISTAKE, a
                              potentially-catastrophic mistake with no
                              upside, for any lawyer to name him/herself
                              as an inventor, in-house or outside. 
                              You&#39;re almost guaranteeing a hole in the
                              privilege, and potentially a subject
                              matter waiver.  Back in my litigator days,
                              one of my little specialties was
                              depositions of attorneys.  If you have a
                              witness that&#39;s a fact witness or some
                              issues, and the attorney for others, oh
                              man what a tasty target rich environment. 
                              DON&#39;T DO IT.<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">You&#39;ll find my name on
                              some of my early patents, but not after I
                              sat as guest of honor or a couple
                              depositions by Cravath, Kirkland &amp;
                              Ellis, and similar firms, and realized how
                              many of my defense counsel&#39;s objections
                              would not be possible if I had been a
                              named inventor.<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">I disagree with David
                              Hricik.   His paper <a href="https://digitalcommons.law.mercer.edu/jour_mlr/vol55/iss2/4/" target="_blank">
https://digitalcommons.law.mercer.edu/jour_mlr/vol55/iss2/4/</a>
                              proceeds from these two sentences:<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">On the one occasion the
                              Federal Circuit did address this issue,
                              ...  the court stated that as a matter of
                              law, practitioners can never be
                              inventors.                      
                              <u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">The Federal Circuit was
                              wrong.<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">That&#39;s not the way it
                              works.  When a panel majority of people
                              with black robes, presidential
                              appointments, and Senate Confirmations say
                              that it is fine -- no error, no statutory
                              violation, just fine -- to not name lawyer
                              as inventor, well, that&#39;s the law.<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">This is not a close
                              call.  Just don&#39;t.<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                        </div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                        <div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">On Mon, Dec 9, 2024 at
                              11:19\u202fPM Judith S via Patentpractice &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;
                              wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
                          </div>
                          <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                            <div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="MsoNormal">I agree that as
                                  outside counsel you should never name
                                  yourself as an inventor for a patent
                                  you wrote.<u></u><u></u></p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="MsoNormal">But I&#39;ve had more
                                  than one in-house counsel who
                                  contributed to the invention when we
                                  were discussing it in committee.  I
                                  think that&#39;s not a big issue, if
                                  in-house counsel becomes an inventor.<u></u><u></u></p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="MsoNormal">Judith<u></u><u></u></p>
                              </div>
                            </div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                            <div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="MsoNormal">On Mon, Dec 9, 2024
                                  at 12:40\u202fPM Suzannah K. Sundby via
                                  Patentpractice &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;
                                  wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
                              </div>
                              <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                                <div>
                                  <div>
                                    <div>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">I\u2019d also
                                        question whether the patent
                                        attorney is truly a \u201cjoint\u201d
                                        inventor, i.e., worked in
                                        \u2018collaboration\u2019, etc.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">Imho, patent
                                        attorneys should never
                                        <i>write themselves in</i> as an
                                        inventor.  After all, it is our
                                        job to write what the inventors
                                        envision is their invention, not
                                        what we think the inventors want
                                        to invent.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">If a patent
                                        attorney has a question as to
                                        whether a particular
                                        embodiment/application/combination
                                        is contemplated by the inventors
                                        and should therefore be included
                                        as a claim, the patent attorney
                                        should ask as the inventors a <i>leading</i>
                                        question, e.g., Do you envision
                                        that this could be \u2026 ?<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes
                                        they say something that\u2019s a
                                        great idea or yes, that\u2019s how it
                                        could be implemented\u2026  I then
                                        correct them and say it is what
                                        I understood from their own
                                        disclosure and/or I didn\u2019t know
                                        whether it would work or not
                                        which is why I asked, etc.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/ssundby/" target="_blank">Suzannah
                                          K. Sundby</a>
                                        <b>|</b> Partner<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.canadylortz.com/" target="_blank">canady
                                          + lortz LLP</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">1050 30th
                                        Street, NW<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">Washington,
                                        DC 20007<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">T:
                                        202.486.8020<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">F:
                                        202.540.8020<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:suzannah@canadylortz.com" target="_blank">suzannah@canadylortz.com</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <div>
                                        <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.canadylortz.com/" target="_blank">www.canadylortz.com</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                      </div>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal">Confidentiality
                                        Notice:  This message is being
                                        sent by or on behalf of a
                                        lawyer.  It is intended
                                        exclusively for the individual
                                        or entity to which it is
                                        addressed.  This communication
                                        may contain information that is
                                        proprietary, privileged or
                                        confidential, or otherwise
                                        legally exempt from disclosure.
                                         If you are not the named
                                        addressee, you may not read,
                                        print, retain, copy, or
                                        disseminate this message or any
                                        part.  If you have received this
                                        message in error, please notify
                                        the sender immediately by e-mail
                                        and delete all copies of the
                                        message.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <div>
                                        <p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b>
                                          Patentpractice &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;
                                          <b>On Behalf Of </b>David
                                          Boundy via Patentpractice<br>
                                          <b>Sent:</b> Monday, December
                                          9, 2024 1:52 PM<br>
                                          <b>To:</b> For patent
                                          practitioners. This is not for
                                          laypersons to seek legal
                                          advice. &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;<br>
                                          <b>Cc:</b> David Boundy &lt;<a href="mailto:PatentProcedure@gmail.com" target="_blank">PatentProcedure@gmail.com</a>&gt;<br>
                                          <b>Subject:</b> Re:
                                          [Patentpractice] Patent lawyer
                                          as inventor on client&#39;s
                                          application?<u></u><u></u></p>
                                      </div>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <div>
                                        <div>
                                          <div>
                                            <p class="MsoNormal">My view is
                                              that you should not name
                                              yourself inventor without
                                              a Really Good Reason. Here
                                              are the reasons that you
                                              should not name yourself
                                              as inventor:
                                              <u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>\u25cf    If you are merely
                                              the attorney, not the
                                              inventor, you are unlikely
                                              to be called for
                                              deposition\u2014attorneys
                                              generally don\u2019t get
                                              deposed unless there\u2019s
                                              some smell of inequitable
                                              conduct in the air first.<a href="#m_6487588021621560798_m_-3273223265054125256_m_81799952662547"><sup>[1]</sup></a> 
                                              However, if you are a
                                              named inventor, you <i>will</i>
                                              be deposed.  And once
                                              you\u2019re in the hot seat in
                                              your role as inventor, the
                                              scope of questions that
                                              you can be asked has
                                              little bound, including
                                              \u201cfishing expedition\u201d
                                              questions for inequitable
                                              conduct that couldn\u2019t be
                                              asked if you weren\u2019t
                                              already there.<a href="#m_6487588021621560798_m_-3273223265054125256_m_81799952662547"><sup>[2]</sup></a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>\u25cf    When a statement of
                                              fact made solely as <i>attorney
                                                argument</i> is
                                              erroneous without intent,
                                              it\u2019s not inequitable
                                              conduct.<a href="#m_6487588021621560798_m_-3273223265054125256_m_81799952662547"><sup>[3]</sup></a> 
                                              However, if you are the
                                              inventor, the same
                                              argument could be an <i>inventor\u2019s
                                                statement</i>, and that
                                              statement might be
                                              evaluated for inequitable
                                              conduct on a far different
                                              standard.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>\u25cf    As a person that is
                                              likely to become a
                                              witness, you are
                                              disqualified from
                                              representing the client in
                                              any litigation.  The
                                              disqualification may
                                              extend to your firm.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p class="MsoNormal">While the
                                              Federal Circuit has not
                                              explicitly blessed the
                                              practice, it has at least
                                              told district courts not
                                              to invalidate such patents
                                              under old § 102(f) (\u201cA
                                              person shall be entitled
                                              to a patent unless \u2026 he
                                              did not himself invent the
                                              subject matter sought to
                                              be patented.\u201d), nor to
                                              correct inventorship under
                                              § 256:<a href="#m_6487588021621560798_m_-3273223265054125256_m_81799952662547"><sup>[4]</sup></a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>\u2026 An attorney\u2019s
                                              professional
                                              responsibility is to
                                              assist his or her client
                                              in defining her invention
                                              to obtain, if possible, a
                                              valid patent with maximum
                                              coverage.  An attorney
                                              performing that role
                                              should not be a competitor
                                              of the client, asserting
                                              his inventorship as a
                                              result of representing his
                                              client.  Thus, to assert
                                              that proper performance of
                                              the attorney\u2019s role is a
                                              ground for invalidating
                                              the patent constitutes a
                                              failure to understand the
                                              proper role of the patent
                                              attorney.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <div>
                                              <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                                              <div>
                                                <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">
                                                  <hr width="25%" size="0" align="center">
                                                </div>
                                              </div>
                                              <div>
                                                <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">
                                                  <hr width="25%" size="0" align="center">
                                                </div>
                                              </div>
                                              <div id="m_6487588021621560798m_-3273223265054125256m_8179995266254743648m_-4972033052347162407m_-8700340141342876121m_-6441156188502376828gmail-ftn1">
                                                <p>            <sup>[1]</sup>
                                                  <i>Ring Plus Inc v
                                                    Cingular Wireless
                                                    Corp.</i>, 614 F.3d
                                                  1354, ___, 6 USPQ2d
                                                  1022, ___ (Fed. Cir.
                                                  2010) (material
                                                  misstatement in
                                                  Background was
                                                  material to
                                                  inequitable conduct,
                                                  but did not establish
                                                  intent to deceive);
                                                  Taltech Ltd v Esquel
                                                  Ents Ltd., 604 F3d
                                                  1324, ___, 95 USPQ2d
                                                  1257, ___ (Fed. Cir.
                                                  2010) (inequitable
                                                  conduct &amp; atty
                                                  fees in undisclosed
                                                  prior art, atty
                                                  misstatement; intent
                                                  inferred from
                                                  circumstance &amp;
                                                  lack evidence of good
                                                  faith).<u></u><u></u></p>
                                              </div>
                                              <div id="m_6487588021621560798m_-3273223265054125256m_8179995266254743648m_-4972033052347162407m_-8700340141342876121m_-6441156188502376828gmail-ftn2">
                                                <p>            <sup>[2]</sup>
                                                  Exergen Corp v
                                                  Wal-Mart Stores Inc.,
                                                  575 F3d 1312, ___, 91
                                                  USPQ2d 1656, ___ (Fed.
                                                  Cir. 2009) (FRCP 9(b)
                                                  pleading of
                                                  inequitable conduct
                                                  reqs specific who,
                                                  what, when, where and
                                                  how, including facts
                                                  implying intent).<u></u><u></u></p>
                                              </div>
                                              <div id="m_6487588021621560798m_-3273223265054125256m_8179995266254743648m_-4972033052347162407m_-8700340141342876121m_-6441156188502376828gmail-ftn3">
                                                <p><a name="m_6487588021621560798_m_-3273223265054125256_m_817999526625474"></a>           
                                                  <sup>[3]</sup>
                                                  <i>Intirtool Ltd v
                                                    Texar Corp.</i>, 369
                                                  F3d 1289, ___, 70
                                                  USPQ2d 1780, ___ (Fed.
                                                  Cir. 2004)
                                                  (inequitable conduct
                                                  of faulty prosecution
                                                  arguments);
                                                  <i>Norian Corp v
                                                    Stryker Corp.</i>,
                                                  363 F3d 1321, 70
                                                  USPQ2d 1508 (Fed. Cir.
                                                  2004) (inequitable
                                                  conduct of faulty
                                                  prosecution
                                                  arguments);
                                                  <i>CFMT Inc v Yieldup
                                                    Int\u2019l Corp.</i>, 349
                                                  F3d 1333, ___, 68
                                                  USPQ2d 1940, ___ (Fed.
                                                  Cir. 2003)
                                                  (inequitable conduct
                                                  of faulty prosecution
                                                  arguments);
                                                  <i>Transonic Systems
                                                    Inc v Non-Invasive
                                                    Medical Technologies
                                                    Corp.</i>, 75
                                                  Fed.Appx. 765 (Fed.
                                                  Cir. 2003)
                                                  (unpublished)
                                                  (inequitable conduct
                                                  of faulty prosecution
                                                  arguments);
                                                  <i>Gambro Lundia AB v
                                                    Baxter Healthcare
                                                    Corp</i>, 110 F3d
                                                  1573, ___, 42 USPQ2d
                                                  1378, ___ (Fed. Cir.
                                                  1997).<u></u><u></u></p>
                                              </div>
                                            </div>
                                          </div>
                                          <div>
                                            <div>
                                              <div>
                                                <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">
                                                  <hr width="25%" size="0" align="center">
                                                </div>
                                              </div>
                                              <div id="m_6487588021621560798m_-3273223265054125256m_8179995266254743648m_-4972033052347162407m_-8700340141342876121m_-6441156188502376828gmail-ftn1">
                                                <p>            <sup>[4]</sup>
                                                  <i>Solomon v.
                                                    Kimberly-Clark Corp.</i>,
                                                  216 F.3d 1372, 1382,
                                                  55 USPQ2d 1279, 1285
                                                  (Fed. Cir. 2000).<u></u><u></u></p>
                                              </div>
                                            </div>
                                            <div>
                                              <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                                            </div>
                                          </div>
                                          <div>
                                            <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                          </div>
                                        </div>
                                      </div>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <div>
                                        <div>
                                          <p class="MsoNormal">On Mon, Dec
                                            9, 2024 at 1:40\u202fPM Carl
                                            Oppedahl via Patentpractice
                                            &lt;<a href="mailto:patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a>&gt;
                                            wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
                                        </div>
                                        <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                                          <div>
                                            <p>I have had this happen
                                              half a dozen times over
                                              the years.  I send the
                                              standard email &quot;here are
                                              the claims, please look at
                                              them and tell me if we
                                              have named all of the
                                              inventors&quot; and next thing
                                              you know, I am told I am a
                                              co-inventor.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>When this happens, I
                                              simply sign a declaration
                                              and asssignment, record
                                              the assignment, and give
                                              it no further thought.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>Yes I suppose one could
                                              concoct situations where
                                              (for example) a malfeasant
                                              patent attorney could
                                              intentionally slip a &quot;not&quot;
                                              into the assignment, or
                                              could intentionally do
                                              something or another
                                              during prosecution that
                                              would somehow favor the
                                              attorney.  To the extent
                                              that one decides that such
                                              risks would need to be
                                              somehow addressed, yes one
                                              cannot imagine any
                                              approach other than
                                              transferring everything
                                              about the case (including
                                              the assignment task) to
                                              separate counsel.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>One imagines the client
                                              would get stuck paying
                                              lots of money to new
                                              counsel for them to spend
                                              the time needed gain
                                              familiarity with the file.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <p>I guess I have sort of
                                              assumed that if I can be
                                              trusted not to screw over
                                              the client in the handling
                                              of the file in general
                                              (before I was identified
                                              as a co-inventor), I ought
                                              to be able to be trusted
                                              not to screw over the
                                              client in the remaining
                                              tasks.  But you raise
                                              valid questions that I
                                              have never thought about.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            <div>
                                              <p class="MsoNormal">On 12/9/2024
                                                1:03 PM, Patent Lawyer
                                                via Patentpractice
                                                wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
                                            </div>
                                            <blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
                                              <div>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal">What issues /
                                                  concerns are there
                                                  with a patent attorney
                                                  being named an
                                                  inventor on their
                                                  client&#39;s patent
                                                  application?<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal">Assume that
                                                  the attorney will
                                                  assign all rights in
                                                  the invention to the
                                                  client/applicant,
                                                  should the attorney
                                                  advise them to have
                                                  someone else handle
                                                  the assignment?
                                                  <u></u><u></u></p>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal">Are there
                                                  privilege issues? (In
                                                  a communication with
                                                  the client, who are
                                                  you? Attorney or
                                                  co-inventor?)<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal">Does the
                                                  patent attorney have
                                                  to advise the PTO?  Is
                                                  there a conflict of
                                                  any sort?<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                                <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                              </div>
                                              <p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
                                            </blockquote>
                                          </div>
                                          <p class="MsoNormal">--
                                            <br>
                                            Patentpractice mailing list<br>
                                            <a href="mailto:Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
                                            <a href="http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                        </blockquote>
                                      </div>
                                      <div>
                                        <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                                      </div>
                                      <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                                        -- <u></u><u></u></p>
                                      <div>
                                        <div>
                                          <div>
                                            <div>
                                              <div>
                                                <div>
                                                  <div>
                                                    <div>
                                                      <div>
                                                        <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p><b><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">Error! Filename not
                                                          specified.</span> 
                                                             
                                                          <span style="font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">Error! Filename not
                                                          specified.</span><br>
                                                          </a></b><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank">Listed as one of the world&#39;s 300
                                                          leading
                                                          intellectual
                                                          property
                                                          strategists</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="http://ssrn.com/author=2936470" target="_blank">Articles at http://ssrn.com/author=2936470</a><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank"><br>
                                                          </a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank">Click here to add me to your
                                                          contacts.</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><b><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank">David Boundy</a></b><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="mailto:dboundy@cambridgetechlaw.com" target="_blank">DBoundy@cambridgetechlaw.com</a> / <a href="tel:%2B1%206464729737" target="_blank">+1
                                                          646.472.9737</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><b>Cambridge
                                                          Technology Law
                                                          LLC</b><br>
                                                          686
                                                          Massachusetts
                                                          Avenue #201,
                                                          Cambridge  MA 
                                                          02139<br>
                                                          <a href="http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com" target="_blank">http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com</a><br>
                                                          <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">mailing
                                                          address<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">PO Box 590638<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">Newton MA  
                                                          02459<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                                                          This
                                                          communication
                                                          is a
                                                          confidential
                                                          attorney-client
                                                          communication
                                                          intended only
                                                          for the person
                                                          named above or
                                                          an authorized
representative.  Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
                                                          communication
                                                          is strictly
                                                          prohibited,
                                                          whether by the
                                                          author or
                                                          recipients. 
                                                          Any legal,
                                                          business or
                                                          tax
                                                          information
                                                          contained in
                                                          this
                                                          communication,
                                                          including
                                                          attachments
                                                          and
                                                          enclosures, is
                                                          not intended
                                                          as a thorough,
                                                          in-depth
                                                          analysis of
                                                          specific
                                                          issues, nor a
                                                          substitute for
                                                          a formal
                                                          opinion, nor
                                                          is it
                                                          sufficient to
                                                          avoid legal or
                                                          other adverse
                                                          consequences
                                                          to the
                                                          recipient.
                                                          Unless you are
                                                          the addressee
                                                          (or authorized
                                                          to receive for
                                                          the
                                                          addressee),
                                                          you may not
                                                          copy, use,
                                                          disclose or
                                                          distribute
                                                          this
                                                          communication
                                                          or attribute
                                                          to the Firm
                                                          any
                                                          information
                                                          contained in
                                                          this
                                                          communication.
                                                          If you have
                                                          received this
                                                          communication
                                                          in error,
                                                          please advise
                                                          the sender by
                                                          replying to
                                                          this message
                                                          or by
                                                          telephone, and
                                                          then promptly
                                                          delete it.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                        </div>
                                                      </div>
                                                    </div>
                                                  </div>
                                                </div>
                                              </div>
                                            </div>
                                          </div>
                                        </div>
                                      </div>
                                    </div>
                                  </div>
                                  <p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
                                    Patentpractice mailing list<br>
                                    <a href="mailto:Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
                                    <a href="http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                </div>
                              </blockquote>
                            </div>
                            <p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
                              Patentpractice mailing list<br>
                              <a href="mailto:Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">Patentpractice@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
                              <a href="http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/patentpractice_oppedahl-lists.com</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                          </blockquote>
                        </div>
                        <div>
                          <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                        </div>
                        <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                          <span>-- </span><u></u><u></u></p>
                        <div>
                          <div>
                            <div>
                              <div>
                                <div>
                                  <div>
                                    <div>
                                      <div>
                                        <div>
                                          <div>
                                            <div>
                                              <div>
                                                <div>
                                                  <div>
                                                    <div>
                                                      <div>
                                                        <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p><b><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">Error! Filename not
                                                          specified.</span> 
                                                             
                                                          <span style="font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">Error! Filename not
                                                          specified.</span><br>
                                                          </a></b><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank">Listed as one of the world&#39;s 300
                                                          leading
                                                          intellectual
                                                          property
                                                          strategists</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="http://ssrn.com/author=2936470" target="_blank">Articles at http://ssrn.com/author=2936470</a><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank"><br>
                                                          </a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank">Click here to add me to your
                                                          contacts.</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><b><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank">David Boundy</a><u></u><u></u></b></p>
                                                          <p><a href="mailto:dboundy@cambridgetechlaw.com" target="_blank">DBoundy@cambridgetechlaw.com</a> / <a href="tel:%2B1%206464729737" target="_blank">+1
                                                          646.472.9737</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p>Cambridge
                                                          Technology Law
                                                          LLC<br>
                                                          686
                                                          Massachusetts
                                                          Avenue #201,
                                                          Cambridge  MA 
                                                          02139<br>
                                                          <a href="http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com" target="_blank">http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com</a><br>
                                                          <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">mailing address <u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">PO Box 590638<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">Newton MA   02459<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                                                          This
                                                          communication
                                                          is a
                                                          confidential
                                                          attorney-client
                                                          communication
                                                          intended only
                                                          for the person
                                                          named above or
                                                          an authorized
representative.  Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this
                                                          communication
                                                          is strictly
                                                          prohibited,
                                                          whether by the
                                                          author or
                                                          recipients. 
                                                          Any legal,
                                                          business or
                                                          tax
                                                          information
                                                          contained in
                                                          this
                                                          communication,
                                                          including
                                                          attachments
                                                          and
                                                          enclosures, is
                                                          not intended
                                                          as a thorough,
                                                          in-depth
                                                          analysis of
                                                          specific
                                                          issues, nor a
                                                          substitute for
                                                          a formal
                                                          opinion, nor
                                                          is it
                                                          sufficient to
                                                          avoid legal or
                                                          other adverse
                                                          consequences
                                                          to the
                                                          recipient.
                                                          Unless you are
                                                          the addressee
                                                          (or authorized
                                                          to receive for
                                                          the
                                                          addressee),
                                                          you may not
                                                          copy, use,
                                                          disclose or
                                                          distribute
                                                          this
                                                          communication
                                                          or attribute
                                                          to the Firm
                                                          any
                                                          information
                                                          contained in
                                                          this
                                                          communication.
                                                          If you have
                                                          received this
                                                          communication
                                                          in error,
                                                          please advise
                                                          the sender by
                                                          replying to
                                                          this message
                                                          or by
                                                          telephone, and
                                                          then promptly
                                                          delete it.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                        </div>
                                                      </div>
                                                    </div>
                                                  </div>
                                                </div>
                                              </div>
                                            </div>
                                          </div>
                                        </div>
                                      </div>
                                    </div>
                                  </div>
                                </div>
                              </div>
                            </div>
                          </div>
                        </div>
                      </blockquote>
                    </div>
                    <div>
                      <p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
                    </div>
                    <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                      <span>-- </span><u></u><u></u></p>
                    <div>
                      <div>
                        <div>
                          <div>
                            <div>
                              <div>
                                <div>
                                  <div>
                                    <div>
                                      <div>
                                        <div>
                                          <div>
                                            <div>
                                              <div>
                                                <div>
                                                  <div>
                                                    <div>
                                                      <div>
                                                        <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p><b><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">Error! Filename not
                                                          specified.</span> 
                                                             
                                                          <span style="font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">Error! Filename not
                                                          specified.</span><br>
                                                          </a></b><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank">Listed as one of the world&#39;s 300
                                                          leading
                                                          intellectual
                                                          property
                                                          strategists</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="http://ssrn.com/author=2936470" target="_blank">Articles at http://ssrn.com/author=2936470</a><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank"><br>
                                                          </a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><a href="https://www.keynect.us/requestCardAccess/USA500DBOUN?" target="_blank">Click here to add me to your
                                                          contacts.</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p><b><a href="https://www.iam-media.com/strategy300/individuals/david-boundy" target="_blank">David Boundy</a><u></u><u></u></b></p>
                                                          <p><a href="mailto:dboundy@cambridgetechlaw.com" target="_blank">DBoundy@cambridgetechlaw.com</a> / <a href="tel:%2B1%206464729737" target="_blank">+1
                                                          646.472.9737</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p>Cambridge
                                                          Technology Law
                                                          LLC<br>
                                                          686
                                                          Massachusetts
                                                          Avenue #201,
                                                          Cambridge  MA 
                                                          02139<br>
                                                          <a href="http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com" target="_blank">http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com</a><br>
                                                          <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy</a><u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">mailing address <u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">PO Box 590638<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal">Newton MA   02459<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
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                                                          </div>
                                                          <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                                                          This
                                                          communication
                                                          is a
                                                          confidential
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                                                          for the person
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                                                          is strictly
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                                                          whether by the
                                                          author or
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                                                          Any legal,
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                                                          including
                                                          attachments
                                                          and
                                                          enclosures, is
                                                          not intended
                                                          as a thorough,
                                                          in-depth
                                                          analysis of
                                                          specific
                                                          issues, nor a
                                                          substitute for
                                                          a formal
                                                          opinion, nor
                                                          is it
                                                          sufficient to
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                                                          other adverse
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                                                          Unless you are
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                                                          copy, use,
                                                          disclose or
                                                          distribute
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                                                          If you have
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                                                          then promptly
                                                          delete it.<u></u><u></u></p>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                          </div>
                                                        </div>
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                                                    </div>
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                                                </div>
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                                            </div>
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                                        </div>
                                      </div>
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                              </div>
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                          </div>
                        </div>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                    <p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
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                </div>
                <p class="MsoNormal"><br>
                  <br>
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              </blockquote>
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            <p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
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      <fieldset></fieldset>
    </blockquote>
    <br>
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<p style="margin:0px 0px 10px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;,sans-serif,Arial;font-size:14px"><span><span><a href="mailto:dboundy@cambridgetechlaw.com" target="_blank">DBoundy@cambridgetechlaw.com</a> / <a href="tel:%2B1%206464729737" value="+16464729737" target="_blank">+1 646.472.9737</a></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 10px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;,sans-serif,Arial;font-size:14px"><span><span><span style="font-weight:700">Cambridge Technology Law LLC</span></span><br>686 Massachusetts Avenue #201, Cambridge  MA  02139<br><a href="http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com" target="_blank">http://www.CambridgeTechLaw.com</a><br><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/in/DavidBoundy</a><br></span></p>mailing address<div>PO Box 590638<br></div><div>Newton MA   02459<br></div></div></div><font size="1"><span style="line-height:150%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><br>This communication is
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prohibited, whether by the author or recipients.<span>  </span>Any legal, business or tax information
contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not
intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute
for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid legal or other adverse
consequences to the recipient. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to
receive for the addressee), you may not copy, use, disclose or distribute this
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the sender by replying to this message or by telephone, and then promptly
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