Press Releases

ANN ARBOR - Steven L. Oberholtzer, shareholder and managing partner of the Ann Arbor, MI office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., was selected by Comcast Newsmakers for a brief feature on Michigan's impact as the "Arsenal of Innovation." Comcast Newsmakers is a locally produced feature that airs regionally on CNN Headline News.

The Arsenal of Innovation is a term Mr. Oberholtzer uses to define the tremendous talent and success the region and the state of Michigan have known in the areas of research and development and innovation as a direct result of the domestic auto makers. Mr. Oberholtzer notes that if Michigan loses its Arsenal of Innovation, no other state is likely to "gain" it. In his opinion, this is a national issue as much as a state issue.

"We can't afford to lose even one generation of innovation because of fewer engineering majors, because other countries will gladly pick up the slack," cautions Mr. Oberholtzer. "The technology resources of our state are a critical national resource which can be redirected in response to national needs. Technology resources are very difficult to regenerate quickly once they are lost."

The interview with Mr. Oberholtzer ran several times throughout the day on the CNN channel throughout Southeast Michigan during the week of March 2, 2009.

Mr. Oberholtzer, an intellectual property attorney, focuses his practice on patent and trademark counseling, corporate intellectual property policy development, technology licensing, joint development and joint venture relationship agreements, United States Patent and Trademark Office administrative proceedings, including interferences, re-examinations, re-issues, trademark oppositions, patent application preparation and prosecution, providing opinions regarding infringement risks, design-around projects and patentability and administration of corporate intellectual property portfolios. He has experience in the mechanical and electro-mechanical disciplines, with particular emphasis on automotive industry issues, and has significant experience in technology areas, including medical devices, lasers, fiber optics, optical devices and heavy industrial equipment. Mr. Oberholtzer is the author of a primer on intellectual property entitled, The Basic Principles of Intellectual Property Law.

Mr. Oberholtzer is involved with many civic and professional organizations, including the Washtenaw County Bar Association, where he serves as Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section, the Technology Transfer Society, and the Licensing Executives Society to name a few.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five additional offices across the country, including Ann Arbor, 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 170 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 and brand names for a wide variety of products and services.