Protecting Ideas in the Early Stages with Trade Secret Protections and Provisional Patent Applications
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
12:00 to 1:00 PM, Gordon Library Conference Room 303, Free pizza, veggie stix, and beverage.
During the early stages of a project your intellectual property rights in your innovations rely primarily on the effective use of trade secret protections and provisional patent applications. Trade secrets are protected by your efforts to maintain confidentiality and are maintained through non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements and employment agreements. A provisional patent application is a temporary tool to establish your priority of invention and distinguish the invention from the existing state of the art. Learn about both mechanisms in this helpful workshop.
Roger P. Zimmerman, Esq.
About the speaker
Practice Concentration
Roger Zimmerman joined the Firm in January 2006 as a member of our Intellectual Property Group. He has extensive experience in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemistry and medical devices. Mr. Zimmerman has been involved in various aspects of patent practice, including client counseling, licensing and agreements, preparation and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology fields. He has experience in patent interference practice, patent reexamination practice and patent litigation.
Prior to joining Mirick O'Connell, Mr. Zimmerman was counsel at the law firm of LaFollette Godfrey & Kahn in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Zimmerman was a member of the faculties of Rush Medical College and the University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition to performing research in neuroscience, cell biology and developmental biology, he taught molecular biology, physiology and neuroscience, as well as serving three years as the acting director of the Division of Cell Biology of Rush University.
Mr. Zimmerman is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin and the U.S. Patent & Trademark office and before several U.S. District and Appeals Courts.
Professional and Community Activities
Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the American Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Wisconsin State Bar Association and the Boston Patent Law Association.
Presentations
"Intellectual Property" (with Jenifer E. Haeckl) 2004-2005 in the Medical Device Management Certificate Program, cosponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council.
Professional Experience
Mirick O'Connell, Worcester, Massachusetts
Of Counsel (January 2006 - present)
LaFollette Godfrey & Kahn, Madison, Wisconsin
Special Counsel (April 2005 - December 2005)
Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, Framingham, Massachusetts
Partner (January 2002 - March 2005)
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff, Chicago, Illinois
Income Partner (January 2000 - December 2001)
Associate (October 1997 - December 1999)
Olson & Hierl, Ltd., Chicago, Illinois
Associate (May 1996 - October 1997)
Patent Agent (July 1994 - May 1996)
Education
Mr. Zimmerman received a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago, master's and doctorate degrees in Biology from Yale University, postdoctoral training at Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.
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