Comments on: Intellectual Property Today Ranks Top Patent Law Firms for 2010 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/ Patents, Software Patents, Patent Applications & Patent Law Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:33:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: Top 10 Guy http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11796 Top 10 Guy Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:02:06 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11796 Speaking of firms. Word on the street is that Darby just dissolved. Crazy times. Speaking of firms. Word on the street is that Darby just dissolved. Crazy times.

]]> By: step back http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11779 step back Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:52:01 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11779 Speaking of quality, I was just quickly going through the Ex parte Frye decision at that "other" blog site, you know: http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2010/03/the-bpais-standard-of-review-for-examiner-rejections.html and it seems that one of the inventor's problems was a hastily prepared drawing. Not clear if this was a case of penny wise and pound foolish. Stuff like that happens all the time, especially in those volume prepared cases. Speaking of quality, I was just quickly going through the Ex parte Frye decision at that “other” blog site, you know:
http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2010/03/the-bpais-standard-of-review-for-examiner-rejections.html

and it seems that one of the inventor’s problems was a hastily prepared drawing. Not clear if this was a case of penny wise and pound foolish. Stuff like that happens all the time, especially in those volume prepared cases.

]]> By: step back http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11778 step back Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:51:03 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11778 The quality of a patent application is generally not known or tested until about 10 years after it's been filed. That's when the law suit (or licensing negotiation) usually hits the fan. By that time, many a quick turn-around artist type lawyers have already flown the coop. They've changed careers and are now selling default swap derivatives on Wall Street for much better pay. There are high quality patents and then there are crap ones. You find out when the stuff hits the fan. (Personally, I've had a couple of patent apps I wrote about 10 years ago recently tested. Usually I get a polite pat on the back during the deposition from the ex-client (they've found cheaper counsel) with an added excuse line like: "Thanks, we now realize you did a good job back then 10 years ago and we're going to rake in millions off this patent as a result; but unfortunately we are not going to employ you because we are penny wise people; no, make that, we are penny genius people. But thanks again and bye bye.') The quality of a patent application is generally not known or tested until about 10 years after it’s been filed. That’s when the law suit (or licensing negotiation) usually hits the fan. By that time, many a quick turn-around artist type lawyers have already flown the coop. They’ve changed careers and are now selling default swap derivatives on Wall Street for much better pay.

There are high quality patents and then there are crap ones. You find out when the stuff hits the fan.

(Personally, I’ve had a couple of patent apps I wrote about 10 years ago recently tested. Usually I get a polite pat on the back during the deposition from the ex-client (they’ve found cheaper counsel) with an added excuse line like: “Thanks, we now realize you did a good job back then 10 years ago and we’re going to rake in millions off this patent as a result; but unfortunately we are not going to employ you because we are penny wise people; no, make that, we are penny genius people. But thanks again and bye bye.’)

]]> By: broje http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11776 broje Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:41:47 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11776 As someone who used to work at one of those top ten firms, I can tell you that prosecuting applications of foreign origin on a volume basis generates a lot of numbers towards making that list. Meanwhile, if you do work for one of the many US corporations that requires you to list them as the correspondence address, you get no credit towards making that list when the patent issues. As someone who used to work at one of those top ten firms, I can tell you that prosecuting applications of foreign origin on a volume basis generates a lot of numbers towards making that list. Meanwhile, if you do work for one of the many US corporations that requires you to list them as the correspondence address, you get no credit towards making that list when the patent issues.

]]> By: Gene Quinn http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11772 Gene Quinn Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:49:08 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11772 I understand what many on the list are saying. Top volume does not necessarily mean top quality. Having said that, a firm that has these types of volume must be keeping its clients happy on at least some level otherwise they would not have the volume, particularly in what is becoming an increasingly competitive marketplace at the top, what I have from time to time referred to as the mahogany table, marble floor firms. I am sure everyone knows why these types of lists are put together, whether it be in our niche or when ESPN does it. It generates buzz and discussion. All of this begs the question though, which in my mind is how do you determine the best or "top quality" firms? How would you determine the "top value firms"? I would define "top value firms" as those that provide appropriate quality (subjective I know) light of cost. So a balance of cost vs. quality. Just wondering if this could even be accomplished. -Gene I understand what many on the list are saying. Top volume does not necessarily mean top quality. Having said that, a firm that has these types of volume must be keeping its clients happy on at least some level otherwise they would not have the volume, particularly in what is becoming an increasingly competitive marketplace at the top, what I have from time to time referred to as the mahogany table, marble floor firms.

I am sure everyone knows why these types of lists are put together, whether it be in our niche or when ESPN does it. It generates buzz and discussion.

All of this begs the question though, which in my mind is how do you determine the best or “top quality” firms? How would you determine the “top value firms”? I would define “top value firms” as those that provide appropriate quality (subjective I know) light of cost. So a balance of cost vs. quality.

Just wondering if this could even be accomplished.

-Gene

]]> By: JohnDarling http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11771 JohnDarling Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:35:25 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11771 step back, I have heard that one. :-) JD step back,

I have heard that one. :-)

JD

]]> By: Steve M http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11765 Steve M Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:56:13 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11765 Thanks "Jason," but I'm a pro se; and one who's been very pleased with the excellent thoughts, ideas, information, and recommendations I've received from the two independent, sole-attorney firms I've worked with from time to time over these past 6+ years. Frankly, I wouldn't work with any firm on such a "Top (volume) Firms" list. And I suppose they wouldn't care much about having my business anyway . . . . . . though you'd sure never see me asking any of them to "pump out" work for some ridiculously low flat fee . . . as if all inventions could or should be stuffed into the same "one fee fits all" box. Thanks “Jason,” but I’m a pro se; and one who’s been very pleased with the excellent thoughts, ideas, information, and recommendations I’ve received from the two independent, sole-attorney firms I’ve worked with from time to time over these past 6+ years.

Frankly, I wouldn’t work with any firm on such a “Top (volume) Firms” list.

And I suppose they wouldn’t care much about having my business anyway . . .

. . . though you’d sure never see me asking any of them to “pump out” work for some ridiculously low flat fee . . . as if all inventions could or should be stuffed into the same “one fee fits all” box.

]]> By: step back http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11764 step back Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:49:50 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11764 JD, Off topic, but did you see that joke making its way around the internet, the one about the Navy Officer? IIRC: Navy Officer: You deck hand, come here. What's your name? Enlisted man: John sir. Navy Officer: How dare you. In the Navy, officers address the enlisted only by their last names. We are not cozy buddies here. What's your last name? Enlisted man: It's Darling sir, John Darling. Navy Officer: OK John, can you give me a hand lifting this equipment? *** JD,

Off topic, but did you see that joke making its way around the internet, the one about the Navy Officer?

IIRC:
Navy Officer: You deck hand, come here. What’s your name?
Enlisted man: John sir.
Navy Officer: How dare you. In the Navy, officers address the enlisted only by their last names. We are not cozy buddies here. What’s your last name?
Enlisted man: It’s Darling sir, John Darling.
Navy Officer: OK John, can you give me a hand lifting this equipment?
***

]]> By: JohnDarling http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11763 JohnDarling Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:18:07 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11763 Top 10 Guy, Quite a few of the associates who leave those top 10 firms go in-house. Guess where they send their prosecution work. Even those who worked at firms that some may consider not "well balanced" send their work back to their former firms. JD Top 10 Guy,

Quite a few of the associates who leave those top 10 firms go in-house. Guess where they send their prosecution work. Even those who worked at firms that some may consider not “well balanced” send their work back to their former firms.

JD

]]> By: Top 10 Guy http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2010/03/09/iptoday-ranks-top-patent-law-firms/id=9588/#comment-11759 Top 10 Guy Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:23:37 +0000 http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=9588#comment-11759 As a new associate at one of the top 10 firms, I am always surprised by how few people (mostly fellow lawyers) have heard of the top 5-10 firms on this list. Indeed, even during law school, Fish & Rishardson was the only firm in the top 10 I had heard of. Clearly, people in the industry and corporate IP counsels must be very familiar with the top 10, based on all the work being sent there. I'm also willing to bet that profits per partner at the top 10 are in the same league as many biglaw shops. It's just curious that these firms don't have name recognition elsewhere in the legal industry. Too specialized? As a new associate at one of the top 10 firms, I am always surprised by how few people (mostly fellow lawyers) have heard of the top 5-10 firms on this list. Indeed, even during law school, Fish & Rishardson was the only firm in the top 10 I had heard of.

Clearly, people in the industry and corporate IP counsels must be very familiar with the top 10, based on all the work being sent there. I’m also willing to bet that profits per partner at the top 10 are in the same league as many biglaw shops. It’s just curious that these firms don’t have name recognition elsewhere in the legal industry. Too specialized?

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