Practice/Industry Groups
Education
- J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 2003
- M.S., Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology & Genetics; Minor, Bioethics, University of Minnesota, 2003
- B.S. Ed., Biology, Arkansas State University, 1993
State Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Admissions
- U.S. Dist. Court, S.D. Illinois
- U.S. Dist. Court, C.D. Illinois
- U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Colorado
- U.S. Dist. Court, N.D. Illinois
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Trevor K. Copeland
Trevor Copeland's practice includes utility and design patent litigation, client counseling, patent prosecution and opinion work.
Mr. Copeland's patent prosecution experience includes work on medical devices, sunglasses, footwear, sprinklers and irrigation equipment, decorative statuary and water gardens, biotechnology and general mechanical arts. He works closely with clients having products in these areas to develop intellectual property acquisition and management strategies, as well as to protect new ideas and products while respecting the rights of others.
Mr. Copeland's litigation practice includes design patent lawsuits, whereby clients are able to protect the unique and valuable ornamental designs of their products and/or to defend against allegations of infringement by others. He has also litigated utility patents on clients' behalf, and has worked on preliminary injunction lawsuits for both design and utility patents, including winning a preliminary injunction against a foreign company preparing to launch an infringing laser-level device with a suction base.
Mr. Copeland has former experience as a high school biology and chemistry teacher, and as a visiting scientist with a Fungal Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Laboratory Group.
- Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2010-2012
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) Advocate
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- Leh Chu Enterp. Co. v. Meijer, Inc. (D. Con. 2011; 11cv1065) Representing defendant in design patent and trade dress litigation relating to flashlights. Pending.
- Patent Group v. Maui Jim (E.D. Tex. 2011; 11cv72) Represented defendant in false patent marking litigation. Settled.
- Meridian Electric Co. v. Energizer Holdings (S.D. Ill. 2011; 10cv35) Representing defendant in false patent marking litigation. Dismissed.
- Schoolhouse Furniture, Inc. et al v. School Specialty, Inc. (N.D. Ill. 2010; 10cv4923) Representing plaintiff in patent infringement litigation. Settled.
- San Francisco Technology v. Playtex (N.D. Calif. 2010; 10cv3250) Representing defendant in false patent marking litigation.
- San Francisco Technology v. Aero Products (N.D. Calif. 2010; 10cv2994) Represented defendant in false patent marking litigation. Settled.
- Simonian v. Playtex (N.D. Ill. 2010; 10cv1455) Represented defendant in false patent marking litigation. Won motion to dismiss.
- Texas Data v. Playtex (E.D. Tex. 2010; 10cv273) Represented defendant in false patent marking litigation. Dismissed.
- Texas Data v. Energizer Personal Care (E.D. Tex. 2010; 10cv274) Represented defendant in false patent marking litigation. Settled.
- GHJ Holdings v. Energizer Holdings (E.D. Tex. 2010; 10cv219) Represented defendant in false patent marking litigation. Settled.
- Minka Lighting, Inc. v. Vaxcel, Inc. (N.D. Ill. 2008; 08cv5438). Represented defendant in design patent infringement action related to ceiling fans. Settled.
- Pequignot v. Solo Cup Co. (E.D. Va. 2007-2008; 07cv897). Represented Solo Cup Co. against a false patent marking claim during discovery and preparation of a summary judgment motion. The claims later were dismissed on summary judgment, upheld on appeal to the CAFC.
- Maui Jim, Inc. v. Bargain Depot Enterprises, LLC d/b/a BargainDepot.net and SimonSaves.com (C.D. Ill. 2006; 06cv1169). Represented plaintiff in design patent infringement action against infringer of patented sunglasses design. Won summary judgment of infringement and patent non-invalidity. Case was found exceptional and client was awarded attorney fees and costs.
- Maui Jim, Inc. v. NYS Collection, LLC (C.D. Ill. 2006; 06cv1170). Represented plaintiff in design patent infringement action against infringer of patented sunglasses design. Settled for undisclosed sum with defendant admitting patent validity.
- Maui Jim, Inc. v. Tommy Bahama Group, Inc. and Altair Eyewear, Inc. (C.D. Ill. 2007; 07cv1155). Represented plaintiff in design patent infringement action related to sunglasses. Settled.
- Maui Jim, Inc. v. Dynamic Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Designer-Sunglasses-City.com (C.D. Ill. 2006; 06cv1168). Represented plaintiff in design patent infringement action against infringer of patented sunglasses design. Settled for undisclosed sum with defendant admitting patent validity.
- Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. and Richard Pando v. Chervon Holdings Ltd., Nanjing Chervon Industrial Co., Ltd. a/k/a Chervon Industry Co., Ltd., Chervon Ltd., and Chervon North America, Inc. (N.D. Ill. 2005; 05cv4370). Represented plaintiffs in patent infringement action related to a suction-base laser level. Won preliminary injunction against infringing product. Decision published: 395 F.Supp. 2d 720. Settled.
- Dioptics Medical Products v. Maui Jim, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2005; C05-1885). Represented defendant-counterplaintiff in design patent infringement action against infringer of patented sunglasses design. Settled.
- Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Corp. v. Qubica USA, Inc. (M.D. Fla. 2005; 05cv510). Represented plaintiff in patent infringement action against infringer of patented electronic bowling scoring console. Settled.
- Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Corp. v. Via Bowling Products, LLC and Shanghai Zhonglu Industrial Co., Ltd. (N.D. Indiana, 2004). Represented Brunswick in patent infringement action related to bowling lane surfaces. Settled.
- Attwood Corporation v. Gem Products, Inc. (N.D. Ill. 2004). Represented plaintiff in patent infringement action related to patented retractable boat cleat. Settled.
- Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Corp., et al. v. Shelti, Inc. (N.D. Ill. 2004; 04cv7856). Represented plaintiff in patent infringement action related to foosball games. Settled.
- Maui Jim, Inc. v. Serengeti Eyewear, Inc., et. al. (C.D. Ill. 2004; 04cv1149). Represented sunglasses manufacturer Maui Jim, Inc. in design patent infringement suit against Serengeti Eyewear, including motion for preliminary injunction. Settled.
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- D650,995 SHEET MATERIAL WITH SURFACE PATTERN - Issued 12/27/2011
- 7,959,660 MULTIFILAR CABLE CATHETER - Issued 6/14/2011
- 7,946,293 CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND METHOD - Issued 5/24/2011
- 7,946,417 CURABLE MATERIAL MIXING AND DELIVERY DEVICE - Issued 5/24/2011
- 7,905,891 SUCTION CLIP - Issued 3/15/2011
- 7,874,267 ANIMAL BREEDING SYSTEM AND USE THEREOF - Issued 1/25/2011
- 7,846,177 SURGICAL DEVICE - Issued 12/7/2010
- 7,811,245 OBJECT DELIVERY SHUTTLE - Issued 10/12/2010
- 7,717,557 LENS SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH ANTIREFLECTIVE COATING - Issued 5/18/2010
- 7,597,105 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES - Issued 10/6/2009
- D588,024 WRISTWATCH - Issued 3/10/2009
- 7,404,415 MECHANICAL INTERMITTENT TIMER FLOW CONTROLLER - Issued 7/29/2008
- D575,452 TWIN-PACK CONTAINER - Issued 8/19/2008
- D557,940 TABLETOP DRINK SERVICE DISPLAY - Issued 12/25/2007
- 7,252,246 OSCILLATING SPRINKLER WITH PATTERN SELECT FEATURE - Issued 8/7/2007
- 7,086,166 SPIRIT LEVEL WITH INTEGRATED INCLINATION ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM - Issued 8/8/2006
- "QUI-TAM-OSAURUS, the Statutory Dinosaur: Evolution or Extinction for the Qui Tam Patent False Marking Statute?" ENGAGE - The Journal of the Federalist Society Practice Groups, Vol. 10, Issue 3 (Oct. 2009); also published in IPO.org (April 9, 2010)
- “The Onset of Germ Cell Migration in the Mouse Embryo,” (co-author), Mechanisms of Development, 91(1-2): 61-8, 2000
- “Patent Reform: Qui Tam Actions and the False Marking Statute,” Panel Debate/Podcast Intellectual Property Practice Group of the Federalist Society, Apr. 8, 2011
- "Rise of Patent False Marking Claims," Chicago Bar Association CLE, Oct. 6, 2010
- “Transforming Growth Factor Proteins Affect Germ Cell Migration,” Presentation & Defense of Research for Master of Science Degree, 2000
- The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
Executive Committee, Intellectual Property Practice Group
Chicago Lawyers Chapter
President, December 2011-Present
Executive Board, 2003-Present - Richard Linn American Inn of Court
- Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago
- Intellectual Property Owners Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Chicago, Illinois
Shareholder, 2012-Present
Associate, 2003-2011
Dexter High School (R-XI School District), Dexter, Missouri
August 1993-May 1998
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Summer 1997
Press Releases
- Brinks' Copeland Named President of Federalist Society in Chicago
- 24 Brinks Attorneys Named Illinois Super Lawyers and 10 Named Rising Stars
- Brinks Promotes Seven Attorneys to Shareholder
- Law & Politics Lauds 24 Brinks Attorneys As 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers in Intellectual Property, Names Nine as Rising Stars
- 19 Brinks Attorneys Named 2010 "Illinois Super Lawyers" 12 Attorneys at Leading IP Firm Named "Rising Stars"
- Trevor Copeland Named to Executive Committee of Intellectual Property Group of the Federalist Society
- Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione Honored for Diversity Initiatives
- Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione Announces New Hires and Promotions for Year
