Faegre Drinker

Firm overview:

Client recommended Faegre Drinker provides the full suite of patent services, including procurement, portfolio management, post-grant proceedings, patentability analysis and transaction advice. The firm crafts comprehensive global prosecution strategies for clients, based on the technology at stake.

When the need to defend or enforce business-critical patents arises, Faegre Drinker fields teams of litigators to resolve disputes at trial or through alternative methods, such as arbitration and mediation.

Team overview:

Faegre Drinker’s team comprises over 70 patent practitioners with a wide range of scientific and technical backgrounds.

Two lawyers recommended by a client are:

Minneapolis partner Victor Jonas leverages his engineering background to work with clients on creating IP strategies. Jonas’s practice includes US and foreign patent preparation and prosecution, patent validity and infringement evaluations, technology licensing and development agreements, and litigation support.

Jessica Van Dalen, in Indianapolis, is skilled at preparing and prosecuting patent applications. She has particular expertise in the vehicle industry, and has assisted clients with protecting all aspects of on-road and off-road vehicle components, technologies and designs.

Other notable members of the team include Walter Linder, in Minneapolis, whose experience includes being in-house counsel at 3M. Nicholas Arens, in the same office, draws on a background in mechanical engineering to assist clients with non-contentious patent matters.

Key matters:

Non-Contentious: Prosecution:

• Faegre Drinker has been the long-standing partner of a US-based engine and generator manufacturer, assisting with the management and prosecution of its patent portfolio. The technologies covered by the patents include on-road and off-road diesel and natural gas powered engines, power generation systems, emission controls, fuel systems and all electric and hybrid powertrain systems and components.
• Faegre Drinker partnered with Indiana University’s research institution for over five years on the management and prosecution of its patent portfolio. This included patents in the areas of anatomy/cell biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, surgery, medical devices, and more.

Non-Contentious: Transactions:

• In 2024, a Faegre Drinker team advised data and analytics company Spire Global on its agreement to sell its maritime business to Kpler for approximately $241 million. IP partner Robert Cannuscio was on the team advising on the deal.

Contentious:

• 337-TA-762 - Graco Childrens Products v Baby Trend

In September 2023, Faegre Drinker secured a victory at the International Trade Commission (ITC) for clients Baby Trend, Sichuan Hobbies Baby Products and Anhui Chile Baby Products in a patent infringement lawsuit. The ITC determined no violation of any asserted patent and terminated the investigation.

• WhereverTV, Plaintiff, v Comcast Cable Communications, Defendant.

Partner Traci McKee was part of the team that secured a ruling of no infringement for client Comcast in a patent infringement suit in Florida. Comcast was sued by WhereverTV for alleged patent infringement related to the integration of Netflix and other over-the-top apps onto Comcast’s X1 platform.

Clients:

Anhui Chile Baby Products, Baby Trend, Comcast, Sichuan Hobbies Baby Products.