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

Robert K. Fergan

Practice Summary

Robert Fergan specializes in client counseling, licensing, and patent prosecution in the United States and in other countries under the rules of the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Mr. Fergan has prepared and prosecuted patents in the electrical, mechanical, optical, and computer science arts, as well as, patents related to business methods.

Prior to joining Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Mr. Fergan worked in the machine vision and optical inspection industry. His ten years of industry experience as a product development manager and product marketing manager have provided the unique opportunity to become familiar with many industries and technologies including, semi-conductor, electronics, automotive, pharmaceutical, packaging, metrology, instrumentation, and optics.

Publications
Presentations
View All
  • "What to Tell your Clients After Bilski,"  2010
  • "Confidential: Working with Customers and Suppliers in a Confidential Relationship,” 2008
  • "What to Tell Your Clients After Bilski," 2008
  • "The Impact of New Patent Rules on Your Business," 2007
  • "10 IP Red Flags for General Counsel," 2007
  • "10 IP Red Flags for Business Managers," 2007
  • "Creating Value in Your Company by Developing a Competitive IP Portfolio," 2006
  • "Developing Technology with Contractors, Vendors and Partners," 2006
  • "Maximizing Value from Your Patent Portfolio," 2006
  • "Avoiding the Risks of Intellectual Property Litigation," 2005
Memberships & Affiliations
  • State Bar of Michigan
    Representative Assembly, 22nd Circuit Rep., 2010-2012
    Board of Commissioners, Board Member 2006-2009
    Young Lawyers Section, Chair 2007, Chair-Elect 2006, Vice-Chair 2005, Treasurer 2004, Executive Council Member 2003-2006
    Inter Alia Editor 2005
    Delegate to ABA YLD Assembly, Mid-Year and Annual Meeting
    2004-2006
  • American Bar Association
    Intellectual Property Law Section
    Editorial Board, LANDSLIDE, 2008-2012
    CLE Planning Board, 2010-2012
    Annual Meeting, Chair, 2012
    Mid-Year Meeting, Chair, 2010
    Pro Bono Committee, Co-Chair, 2007-2008
    Young Lawyers Committee, Co-Chair, 2006
    Practical Tips Program, Co-Chair Summer, Fall 2006
    European Patent Practices Subcommittee, Chair 2005-2006
    Business Law Section
    Business Law Fellow, Cyberspace Law Committee, 2006-2009
    Young Lawyers Division
    Affiliate Database Team, Chair 2006
    Internet and Intellectual Property Law, Liaison, 2005-2006
    Internet and Intellectual Property Law Committee, Vice-Chair, 2005
  • Washtenaw County Bar Association
    Intellectual Property Law Section, Co-Chair 2006-2011
Teaching Experience

Thomas Cooley Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Adjunct Professor, Computer Law, 2011

Legal Experience

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Intellectual Property Attorney, 2003-Present

Non-Legal Experience

Perceptron, Plymouth, Michigan
Product Manager, 1998-2003

Industrial Technology Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sr. Machine Vision Engineer, Project Manager, 1995-1998

Applied Intelligent Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sales Engineer, 1991-1998

Civic Activities
  • Leadership Detroit, Detroit Chamber of Commerce
  • Booster Board Member, Plymouth Christian Academy