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RatnerPrestia counsel for intellectual property 11:16 a.m., Oct. 11, 2006--The University of Delaware has selected RatnerPrestia as its primary intellectual property counsel, it was announced Wednesday, Oct. 11, by the University's Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR). In this role, RatnerPrestia will be responsible for preparation and prosecution of patent applications resulting from research at the University and will partner with OVPR to develop a more timely, cost-efficient and proactive program for protecting and capitalizing on all of the University's intellectual property. The University selected RatnerPrestia for this role after an extensive proposal review and interview process involving a number of law firms. By consolidating future efforts with a single firm, the University has adopted a convergence strategy to realize not only economies of scale but also a more integrated relationship between the University and its outside IP counsel. “We were not effectively utilizing the judgment and initiative outside counsel should provide to collect information and coordinate the efforts of University researchers and inventors,” Bruce Morrissey, director of technology development for the University, said. “We are looking to implement a system that can track and provide information on key patenting decisions early, so we can effectively interact with the University faculty and staff as well as outside counsel.” Carolyn Thoroughgood, UD vice provost for research, said that “with the greatly expanded role of RatnerPrestia as a member of the University's intellectual property team, we look forward to more effectively leveraging our efforts to maximize the value of the University's intellectual property.” “RatnerPrestia is honored to have been chosen for this expanded relationship with the University of Delaware,” Rex Donnelly, managing shareholder of RatnerPrestia's Wilmington office, said. “The University is an outstanding research institution that we know will create the kind of cutting-edge innovations that attorneys and agents in each of our core technology areas will enjoy preparing and prosecuting as patent applications. We particularly welcome the opportunity to help the University streamline its patent procurement process and identify ways to realize the full commercial value of its patent portfolio.” UD, with a current enrollment of more than 16,000 undergraduates and nearly 3,000 graduate students, is one of the oldest land-grant institutions in the United States and has achieved and maintained a national level of prominence and respect among the nation's top academic institutions for its contributions in the international research community. The University spent more than $148 million in research dollars in 2005, including more than $95 million in sponsored research. In its third decade, RatnerPrestia is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the Mid-Atlantic region, with offices in Wilmington, Berwyn, Pa., and Allentown, Pa. Its clients range from start-up companies to multi-billion dollar corporations, both domestic and international, and from private individuals to well-known institutions and universities. |
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