Introduction

The Law Office of Smith & Hopen concentrates its practice exclusively on intellectual property matters which include patents, trademarks, copyrights and franchises. Our members have been recognized as a leading practitioners in the area of high technology intellectual property development. Readers of the Wall Street Journal, Smart Business for the New Economy, Capital District Business Review, and The Business Journal know our attorneys to be authorities on patent, trademark and copyright protection.  Our firm is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Law Firm Personnel

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Political and Educational Action

CAPTION: Standing in front of  Innovation Express organizer Patent Attorney Anton Hopen 2009 event winners Isabella Fraraccio (9), Hanna Duncan (9) and Max Hartle (8).   The event was sponsored by Smith & Hopen, Learning Express and MOSI.

Smith & Hopen maintains a presence in national patent practice and routinely travels to Washington D.C. for matters that affect both prosecution and litigation of intellectual property assets.

To reduce delay, the PTO has aggressively hired hundreds of new patent examiners.  Nevertheless, if new hires are not brought on, the statistics warn of an average patent pending span of 5 years.

Foreign policy with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was also a substantial issue.  There is a theory that the current administration resists harmonization with other countries for the benefit of the IP rights of larger corporations.  A change in administration might result in less U.S. IP strength abroad but perhaps reduced costs for securing foreign protection.

Firm Articles and Publications

SUBJECT MATTER CONFLICTS: 

Due to our representation of government agencies, universities, publicly traded companies and research centers we generally decline representation for matters involving the adult entertainment industry, tobacco products, non-military weapons, combat sports or any other industry adverse to the mission or objectives of our current clients.