As the most experienced member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group, Nicholas A. Kees has represented clients in the management and procurement, worldwide, of large, mixed portfolios of patents, trademarks and copyrights, the litigation of related matters, and the negotiation and establishment of licensing agreements, for over thirty years. Nick frequently works with inventions relating to computer and electronic hardware and software, business methods and other types of emerging technologies, including the preparation of patent applications on those technologies. Further, Nick prepares U.S. and foreign trademark applications, conducting clearance searches for trademarks as needed.
Nick provides advice and opinions relating to the potential infringement of patent rights, trademark rights and copyrights, advises clients on whether patents are being infringed and on avoiding such infringement, and handles litigation relating to the enforcement of these rights. In that litigation, Nick has represented patent owners seeking to enforce their rights against infringers, and has also represented defendants accused of patent infringement. On more than one occasion, Nick has worked with a client to employ a combination of litigation and licensing strategies to assist the client in licensing nearly an entire industry.
Further, Nick represents clients in the negotiation and preparation of agreements relating to such matters as consulting, non-disclosure, licensing, and technology, as well as the intellectual property aspects of merger and acquisition or asset transfer agreements. He prepares trade secret agreements and provides general advice on how these agreements affect employee relationships. And Nick represents and advises clients in connection with data privacy and cyber security matters, including anti-cybersquatting actions, and responding to theft of credit card information.