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Pictured from left to right: Peter Franck, Frederic Benech, founders of the Patent Cup regatta and members of the winning US team, co-skippers, Gary Ropski, Leif Sigmond, and crew members, Robert Irvine and Sandy Wurtzebach.

CHICAGO - Gary M. Ropski, president of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, and co-skipper, Leif R. Sigmond, a partner at McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, brought in the first-ever USA victory when they crossed the finish line in the Patent Cup Regatta held at The Chicago Yacht Club on Lake Michigan earlier this fall.

"This event is a wonderful opportunity for patent attorneys to develop contacts and friendships among various law firms across the world," said Mr. Ropski. "The competition was tough, but with our tactical expertise, boat-handling skills and knowledge of the local sailing conditions, we were able to win."

Participating for the first time in this event, Ropski, Sigmond and their crew sailed a Tartan 10 called the "American Flyer." In addition to Ropski and Sigmond, members of the winning U.S. team included Robert Irvine, an attorney at McDonnell Boehnen, Michael Gannon, a partner at Baniak Pine & Gannon, Matthew Kelly from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and various local sailors who are not patent attorneys.

"This is a great opportunity for the intellectual property community," said Mr. Sigmond. "We have grown so much in the past few years."

Thirteen teams representing the U.S. and other countries, including France, Great Britain, Germany, Canada and Brazil, competed in this competitive, but friendly, sailing race. Established in 1989 by two friends, a German patent attorney, Peter Franck, and a French patent attorney, Frederic Benech, the Patent Cup, unique to the field of intellectual property law, was created to foster camaraderie and help cultivate strong relations among patent attorneys from around the world as well as provide opportunities for new and exciting sailing venues. According to the Patent Cup charter, each sailing boat must have a crew consisting primarily of patent attorneys. Every year the race is held in a different country with the host country responsible for the organization, terms and conditions of the race, the boats chosen and all other arrangements for the event.

As winners of this year's race, Ropski and Sigmond have the honor of exhibiting the handsome silver "Patent Cup" in Chicago until next year's race, which is scheduled to be held in Scotland.

Mr. Ropski is the president of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione and has practiced intellectual property law exclusively since joining Brinks in 1976. His practice now focuses on litigation, but has included patent prosecution and litigation, trademark prosecution, including oppositions, and litigation, trade dress litigation, copyright registration and litigation, trade secret litigation, right of publicity counseling and litigation and related unfair competition and antitrust matters in federal and state courts. He races a Shields one-design sailboat in Chicago during the summer months and has consistently been second in the fleet championship series.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with four additional offices across the country serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 150 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical, mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks or brand names for a wide variety of products and services.