Richard has extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, management of domestic and international patent and trademark portfolios, and in complex patent litigation. His practice focuses on the generation of infringement, validity and freedom to operate opinions in the areas of chemistry, biotechnology and trademarks, with an emphasis on counseling clients with respect to litigation, validity and infringement issues. He has represented Japanese companies against U.S.-based patent trolls, conducted depositions in Japan, and successfully litigated against fortune 100 and fortune 500 companies, including defending clients against large pharmaceutical companies in complex ANDA (Hatch-Waxman Act) litigation.

OVERVIEW

Technical:

• Liquid crystals and liquid crystal technology
• Electrochemistry and water purification
• Paints, coatings and adhesives
• Roofing and building materials
• Generic, branded and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals, including supplements, cosmaceuticals and cosmetics
• Food science
• Steel and steel manufacturing
• Solar panel technology and materials
• Advanced materials and composites
• Polymer science
• Emissions control and abatement technology
• Biomechanical and bioelectric medicine and devices

Trademarks:

• Global trademark portfolio management, policing and enforcement encompassing over 8,000 registrations in more than100 countries, including oppositions, cancellations, invalidations and other inter party dispute resolution worldwide
• Domain name acquisition and enforcement
• Domestic and foreign trademark acquisition and enforcement

General Counseling:

• Licensing
• Intellectual property agreements
• Intellectual property management and infrastructure 
• Trade Secret protection and enforcement
• Due diligence
• Technology transfer and acquisition

Mr. Sharpe is a former Patent Examiner at the United States Patent & Trademark Office and also worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He is a member of the Cleveland and American Intellectual Property Law Associations.