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When you're serious about intellectual property... UseBrinks

Michael N. Spink

Practice Summary

Mr. Spink's intellectual property law practice focuses on all aspects of client counseling, including procurement, licensing and opinions on patents, trademarks and copyrights. Mr. Spink chairs the firm’s Intellectual Asset Management group, and is a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) with extensive experience in complex transactions involving intellectual property, including due diligence, disposition, valuation and bankruptcy issues. His patent practice includes portfolio management, prosecution, licensing and enforcement in numerous industries including the automotive, medical device, and software industries. His trademark practice comprises worldwide portfolio management, clearance, prosecution, licensing and enforcement in federal district court and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Mr. Spink's copyright practice includes registration and licensing, and he is currently a contributing author on copyright law in a quarterly publication of the American Bar Association.

Honors/Distinctions
  • Certified Licensing Professional (CLP), 2010
  • Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Stars 2010, 2011
  • Staff Editor, John Marshall Law Review, 1999
Representative Matters
  • Detroit Tigers, Inc. v. Detroit Muscle, LLC (TTAB 2007). Represented Detroit Muscle in an opposition proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
  • ASC, Inc. v. Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. (E.D. Mich 2006). Represented Dura Convertible Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Collins & Aikman Corporation, in an adversary proceeding in a bankruptcy court. Dura was accused of patent infringement. The case settled.
  • Wilhelm Karmann GmbH v. Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. (E.D. Mich. 2006). Represented Dura Convertible Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Collins & Aikman Corporation, in an adversary proceeding in a bankruptcy court. Dura was accused of patent infringement. The case settled.
  • William Beaumont Hospital v. United Physicians, P.C. (E.D. Mich. 2004). Represented Beaumont in a trademark infringement action. The case settled.
  • William Beaumont Hospital v. United Physicians, P.C. (TTAB 2004). Represented Beaumont in an opposition proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The proceeding settled.
Publications
Presentations
View All
  • "Intellectual Property Agreements and Licensing," University of Michigan- Dearborn, Product Realization Technology Commercialization Program, February 6, 2010
  • "Corporate IP Conference"
    Law Bulletin Seminars, July 15, 2009
  • "Bankruptcy Issues in Technology Licensing"
    Ann Arbor Intellectual Property Seminar, June 10, 2009
  • "Intellectual Property Fundamentals"
    Ann Arbor SCORE, February 13, 2008
  • “Bankruptcy Issues in Technology Licensing”
    Ann Arbor SPARK, June 22, 2007
  • Podcast: “Trademark Primer”
    Mitechnews.Com, March 30, 2007
  • “Protecting Your Identity: Trademark Fundamentals”
    Ann Arbor IT Zone, August 25, 2006
Memberships & Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
    Intellectual Property Section
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Licensing Executives Society
    Co-chair, Michigan Chapter of LES
  • Intellectual Property Owners Association
  • Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association
Legal Experience
  • Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    Shareholder, 2008-Present
    Associate, June 2002-2007
  • Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd., Rockford, Illinois
    Associate, July 1999-June 2002