Kinney & Lange Newsletter

Kinney & Lange has a newsletter "K&L IP News", which features coverage on a variety of intellectual property law topics. You can download your free copy of the latest issue here (PDF format).

Kinney & Lange Named as a Top Patent Firm

Kinney & Lange was named as a top patent firm in 2009 by Intellectual Property Today.  The rankings were based on the number of US utility applications issued in 2009 where the law firm was listed as the legal representative on the issued patent.  Kinney & Lange saw over a 25% increase in issued US patents compared to 2008 and over a 50% increase compared to 2007.

Kinney & Lange Welcomes its Summer 2010 Clerks

SCOTT KRUEGER is currently attending the University of Wisconsin Law School and is expected to graduate in May 2011. He received a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He previously worked as a Component Design Engineer at Intel Corporation located in Hillsboro, Oregon. Scott's interests include javelin, skiing, golfing, mountaineering, surfing, painting, and drawing.

DAMON ANDREWS is currently attending the University of Iowa College of Law and is expected to graduate in May 2011. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Modern Languages (Spanish) from Clemson University in Clemson, SC. Damon is a registered Patent Agent as of 2008. He previously clerked for the US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, in San Juan, PR, as well as Dority & Manning, P.A., located in Greenville, SC. Damon's interests include golf, natural history, European travel and Latin American history and culture.

BRADLEY J. MOTL is currently attending the University of Wisconsin Law School and is expected to graduate in May 2011. He received a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in Mathematics from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. He also received a Ph.D. and M.S. in Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin. He previously clerked for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and was a Research Assistant for the Dept. of Nuclear Engineering at UW.

Recent Publications

An article by Michael Collins and David Buck entitled “In re Bilski: Defining Patentable Subject Matter” was recently published in The IP Book.  Michael A. Collins & David L. Buck, "In re Bilski: Defining Patentable Subject Matter", in The IP Book 22 (Stephen R. Baird et al. eds., 2009).

An article by Austen Zuege and Carolyn Beck entitled “No Short-Cuts: Weighing the Facts Under §103” was recently published in Journal of the Patent and Trademark Office Society.  Austen P. Zuege & Carolyn Beck, “No Short-Cuts: Weighing the Facts Under Section103”, 91 J. Pat. & Trademark Off. Soc’y 398 (June 2009).

Four Kinney & Lange Associates Assist Pro Se Project Individual

For more than thirty years, Kinney & Lange has recognized the importance of pro bono representation and other in-kind contributions to the broader legal community.  The need for legal representation is always great, and the costs can not always be borne by those who need that representation most, especially in tough economic times.

Four Kinney & Lange associates have risen to the challenge.  Through the Pro Se Project of the Federal Bar Association, Kinney & Lange learned of an individual in need of legal aid and is currently helping him navigate the Federal Court system.

Dave Fairbairn is 2009 Super Lawyer

Kinney & Lange congratulates its 2009 Super Lawyer David R. Fairbairn. Super Lawyers surveyed Minnesota attorneys regarding those members of the Minnesota State Bar whom they considered to be Super Lawyers. The Super Lawyers Selection Committee evaluated the nominations received and made the final selections.  No more than five percent of the total lawyers in the state are selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers list.  This is Dave's seventh consecutive year of being named a Super Lawyer.

Kinney & Lange Wins $44 Million for Client

Kinney & Lange represented SPX Corporation in a binding arbitration proceeding involving infringement by Snap-on, Inc. of three basic patents owned by SPX on digital waveform displays for automotive engine analyzers. The dispute originated in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois before U.S. District Court Judge John F. Grady, who decided many of the issues raised by the pleadings, including deciding all claim construction issues during over 20 days of Markman hearings on multiple patents. Eventually, the parties agreed to try all remaining issues to a mutually-selected arbitrator. The trial to the arbitrator occurred in two phases over 19 days: phase one comprised several counts arising out of SPX's hiring of the former president of Sun Electric (which was acquired by Snap-on in 1992) and phase two related to Snap-on's infringement of the three SPX patents. By agreement of the parties, the Arbitrator selected the "last final offer" of the parties that was closest to the appropriate damages award for the combined phases of the arbitration (sometimes referred to as "baseball arbitration"). Snap-on's last final offer was $3 million in its favor and SPX's last final offer was $44 million in its favor. The Arbitrator found for SPX and awarded it $44 million.