McDermott Launches International Trade Commission (ITC) Blog
Global law firm’s leadership in ITC Section 337 trade disputes is the foundation for new resource from experienced partners Blair Jacobs and Robert Walters
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 7, 2010) — McDermott Will & Emery LLP, recognized by IP Law & Business as the most active general practice law firm representing clients in disputes before the International Trade Commission (ITC), has launched a new blog to provide timely updates on ITC rulings and developments. Available to authorized users effective July 7, 2010, the blog can be accessed at www.itc337update.com. Content will focus on important and timely developments in ITC Section 337 proceedings, and will be updated by McDermott Washington, D.C. partners Blair M. Jacobs and Robert J. (Rob) Walters, each of whom has a substantial and successful practice representing plaintiffs and defendants in Section 337 investigations. The blog will also compile and track important statistical information relating to 337 investigations.
Major corporations are increasingly turning to the ITC to resolve their cross-border intellectual property disputes because the Commission’s proceedings offer accelerated investigation of complaints and powerful remedies in the form of exclusion orders. Known as Section 337 actions, ITC investigations involve claims regarding intellectual property rights, including allegations that imported goods have infringed patents and trademarks.
McDermott has one of the leading Section 337 practices in the United States. Since 1982, McDermott lawyers have acted as counsel in more than 50 Section 337 investigations involving a wide range of technologies and numerous causes of action. The authoritative Chambers USA has stated that clients praise McDermott’s ITC work as “an example of real expertise,” while the respected Legal 500 directory states: “Clients acknowledge McDermott as ‘a familiar name in the ITC arena,’ where the firm is considered to be ‘a consistent performer.’”
“McDermott’s success in Section 337 disputes reflects our deep intellectual property experience, substantial litigation strength and skill at international trade disputes. The new blog that Blair and Rob are launching reflects that exceptional capability,” states Sarah Chapin Columbia, head of the Firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group. “They will monitor ITC case rulings and use their substantial experience to provide a resource of information and insight related to the Commission, its judges and decisions.”
Jacobs focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation and related antitrust disputes before the ITC, federal district courts and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. He has achieved favorable results for plaintiffs and defendants in patent infringement, trade secret, trademark, copyright and other commercial disputes involving computers and software, Internet applications, semiconductors and other advanced technologies. Jacobs lectures and writes on a variety of patent litigation topics, and teaches trial advocacy at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
Walters is also an experienced intellectual property litigator and counselor, having represented plaintiffs and defendants in Section 337 actions and before the trial and before appellate courts in intellectual property cases. His technology experience encompasses computer hardware and software, telecommunications, medical imaging, medical devices and product design. A frequent speaker and writer on Section 337 actions and other intellectual property litigation topics, and Walters is currently the Vice Chair of the International Trade Commission (ITC) Committee of the Intellectual Property Owners Association.
McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm with a diversified business practice. Numbering more than 1,000 lawyers, the Firm has offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Düsseldorf, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Rome, San Diego, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. and also has a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
