Alan I. Cantor, Of Counsel to the firm, has significant experience representing domestic and international clients in patent, trademark, trade dress and copyright matters. In addition to preparing and prosecuting domestic and foreign patent applications, Mr. Cantor counsels clients on a range of issues including patentability, infringement, validity, enforcement and patenting strategies. He assists clients in IP due diligence investigations and in negotiating licenses. Mr. Cantor also represents clients in federal courts and before the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). His practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) includes appeals, interferences and ex parte and inter partes reexaminations.
Mr. Cantor’s technical focus is on mechanical and electromechanical technologies. He has expertise in a variety of fields including laboratory specimen processing; medical devices; automotive engine, braking and air bag systems; steam turbines; electrical receptacles, including GFCI receptacles; loudspeakers; infrared targeting; cargo container handling; injection molding; offset printing; papermaking; earth working; fitness equipment; and footwear. He also has expertise in design patent matters involving diverse products.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Cantor worked as an engineer for the Ford Motor Company. He then moved to the USPTO where he served as a patent examiner for six years and a law clerk to the Chairman of the Board of Patent Appeals. Subsequently, Mr. Cantor served as a patent attorney for the U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command.
Education
University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., 1975
The Cooper Union, B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, 1969
Professional Affiliations
Member, American Bar Association
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Bar & Court Admissions
District of Columbia
Virginia
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Select Representative Cases
In re Convertible Rowing Exercise Patent Litigation – multidistrict patent litigation
In the Matter of Certain Convertible Rowing Exercisers – ITC investigation
Snyder Industries, Inc. v. The Heil Co. – patent interference
The Heil Co. v. Snyder Industries, Inc. – patent litigation
Schwinn, Inc. v. Diversified Products Corporation – trade dress litigation
Career Highlights
- Published opinion: In re Convertible Rowing Exercise Patent Litigation, 616 F. Supp. 1134 (D. Del. 1985) (denying a defendant’s motion to order a stay or suspension of a parallel ITC investigation and clarifying the jurisdictional distinctions between the federal courts and the USITC).
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Published opinion: In re Convertible Rowing Exercise Patent Litigation, 721 F. Supp. 596 (D. Del. 1989), petition for permission to appeal denied, 904 F.2d 44, suggestion for rehearing in banc declined, 903 F.2d 822 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (refusing to give preclusive effect to a patent invalidity ruling of the ITC and characterizing the issue as one “of first impression.”
Seminars
“USPTO Implementation of New Rules Relating to American Inventor Protection Act”
Speaker, Foley & Lardner LLP firm-wide in-house seminar, November 2000