At The Dobrusin Law Firm, we believe a cleaner, safer, healthier community is better for us all. To improve our local area and the world at large, our firm participated in Main Street Pontiac’s annual Earth Day Cleanup in the spring and the recent pre-Arts Crawl Clean Up last week. On both occasions, as our …
Anyone who has ever left a job knows those final days involve tying up loose ends, saying goodbyes, and packing up. Walking out the door one last time with a box full of desk photos, coffee mugs, and other personal belongings is a career rite of passage. That box might even include some pens, Post-It …
Last year, the Dobrusin Law Firm continued its long-standing presence in the Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court when two firm shareholders assumed leadership positions — Kristen Pursley served as president for 2021-2022, and Daniela Walters was the Events Chair. At the organization’s recent annual dinner, the two completed their successful terms, with Kristen transitioning …
For many girls, the cost of a high school homecoming or prom dress can be a financial burden, especially when college tuition looms less than a year away or if there are more pressing economic needs. That’s where the Sparkle Network steps in, with help from shareholder Becky Wilson and The Dobrusin Law Firm. The …
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We are delighted to announce that Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Rebecca Wilson has been inducted into the Italian American Chamber of Commerce. For more than 100 years, the Chamber and its members have supported many worthwhile charitable and business activities. The organization’s approximately 170 members contribute to the entrepreneurial spirit, goodwill, and success of the …
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The Dobrusin Law Firm was a proud sponsor of the Catholic Community Response Team’s Par Fore Charity Golf Classic outing. Attorney Eric Hydorn’s foursome hit the links in support of the charity’s efforts. The Catholic Community Response Team provides direct support and referral services to those whose basic daily necessities are unmet, primarily within Pontiac, …
Every business with a website –99 percent of businesses – wants their site to attract eyeballs and, ultimately, customers. They want their social media posts to pop. Photos and images are an essential part of website and social media engagement. The internet is full of millions of photos a company can easily download and upload …
At its recent annual meeting, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan honored Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Katie Pacynski with its Regional Leadership Award. Each year, WLAM recognizes outstanding advocacy for the advancement of women, judiciary role models, and regional development. The Regional Leadership Award recognizes an attorney who has taken significant actions to advance the …
The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan recently held its annual meeting at the Detroit Zoo. During the event, Dobrusin Law Firm managing partner and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation Chair, Kristen Pursley announced the recipients of twelve scholarships, totaling $42,000, to some of Michigan’s brightest law students. Each spring, the foundation makes financial awards …
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On Friday, June 3, 2022, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) held its 104th annual meeting at the Detroit Zoo. Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Erin Klug was sworn in as the organization’s president during the program. She has served on WLAM’s board of directors since 2016. The theme for the 2022-23 year is the …
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The Women’s Bar Association (WBA) held its annual dinner at the Birmingham Athletic Club on May 26, 2022, and as the event’s Gold Sponsor, The Dobrusin Law Firm’s presence was widely seen at the event. The WBA, representing the Oakland Region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, seeks to advance the interests of women …
The Dobrusin Law Firm champions efforts to elevate women in the legal profession. For four years, the firm has contributed to the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation to fund an annual scholarship. We are delighted to announce that the 2022 Dobrusin Law Scholarship recipient is Estella Park Riahi, a student at Michigan State University College …
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) won’t issue a trademark registration for a mark that isn’t currently “used in commerce,” and it will cancel an existing mark if the owner does not show they are actively using their mark. But the USPTO won’t just take an applicant’s word that they are using their mark …
We are thrilled to announce that The Dobrusin Law Firm is an official sponsor of another great team – the Flint City Bucks of the United Soccer League! This weekend, the Bucks begin regular season play at historic Atwood Stadium, Kettering University’s home field. Founded in 1995, the Bucks have been one of the most …
The Dobrusin Law Firm is proud of Shareholder Daniela Walters’ continued dedication and commitment to the City of Pontiac through her role as Advisory Council chair for Pontiac’s BIG IDEA Grant Program. Sponsored by Flagstar Bank and coordinated by Main Street Pontiac, the program provided $500,000 in grants and loans for small businesses that proposed …
After a decade of efforts, the age of the Unitary Patent in the European Union (EU) appears to be imminent. It is expected that in the second half of 2022, inventors will be able to obtain patent protection in all participating EU states by filing a single application with the European Patent Office (EPO), thereby …
Not only is our firm located in Pontiac’s downtown business district, but we are also avid proponents of the city’s economic development. Recently, The Dobrusin Law Firm sponsored the Greater Pontiac Committee of 50 Economic Summit Revisit, held on April 2, 2022, at Oakland University. The mission of the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition, founded by …
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The Pontiac Regional Chamber has named Founding Shareholder Eric Dobrusin the 2021 Champion Member of the Year (for-profit category), recognizing his contributions, volunteerism, and community leadership over the past year. The PRC bestowed the award during its 6th Annual Prosperity Pontiac Event on March 30, 2022. Eric has been a longtime Pontiac supporter and advocate, …
Trademarks such as brand and product names, slogans, logos, and taglines are designed to identify and distinguish businesses, goods, and services from others in the marketplace; they act as a source identifier, or they should. Every company wants its brand to stand out from competitors, and no company wants a competitor to build a brand …
You put a lot of time, money, and effort into obtaining a patent and all the valuable rights and protections that come with registration. Those rights include the potential recovery of substantial damages from others who infringe on your patent. But if you fail to let the world know about your hard work by not …
Continue reading “Show Your Work: What Is “Patent Marking” and Why Is It Important?”
World Trademark Review (WTR) has recently published its annual guide, WTR 1000 2022, recognizing the top trademark professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe. This year, shareholders Erin Klug and Rebecca Wilson make their debuts on this prestigious list, joining an elite group of only 23 trademark attorneys achieving recognition in Michigan. Erin is described …
A trademark – whether a name, logo, packaging design, tagline, or slogan – is at the center of any company’s branding efforts and can be one of its most valuable assets. Like any important asset, a trademark warrants protection to preserve its value and keep others from diminishing or exploiting it for their own purposes. …
It’s no secret shareholder Erin Klug has a passion for animals and their well-being. One outlet for her passion is The Barn Sanctuary, a Chelsea, Michigan nonprofit that provides a loving home to farmed animals in crisis. Erin was recently elected to its board of directors because of her longstanding dedication to the organization and …
Continue reading “Erin Klug Elected to Secretary of the Barn Sanctuary’s Board of Directors”
Dobrusin Law Firm attorney and Rochester Hills, Michigan resident Bryan Lemanski has been appointed to a three-year term on the city’s Historic Districts Commission. The Rochester Hills City Council selects and appoints members based on their experience in archaeology, architecture, building construction and engineering, historic preservation, and community service. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science …
Michigan Lawyers Weekly™ has announced its first-ever class of “Go To Lawyers” in Intellectual Property, which includes Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Erin Klug. Highly valued by her clients and well-respected by her colleagues, Erin is a standout in both the IP bar and the Michigan legal community generally. She is a talented patent, trademark, and …
The Lanham Act, which governs trademarks, may put things more artfully, but “use it or lose it” is a fundamental aspect of trademark law, as is “use it or never get it in the first place.” That is because the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) won’t issue a trademark registration for a mark that …
Since 1998, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation (WLAM Foundation) has encouraged and supported the next generation of women attorneys by partnering with other benefactors to fund annual scholarships. This year, the Foundation will award $42,000 to 12 outstanding law students attending Michigan’s five accredited law schools (University of Michigan Law School, WMU Cooley …
Nobody’s perfect, and neither are many issued patents. Often, errors and defects in a patent may threaten its validity and make it wholly or partly inoperative. In such cases, a reissue application is a valuable tool for correcting defects and ensuring the ongoing protection of a patent. What Is a Patent Reissue Application? As described …
Continue reading “Patent Mistakes Happen. A Patent Reissue Application Can Fix Them.”
Effective branding is a critical component of any successful, consumer-facing business. But the process of developing and trademarking a name, design, logo, or tagline for your company can and usually should be a careful and deliberate one. No business wants to invest time, money, and effort to put their brand in the marketplace, only to …
Continue reading “Use It (Soon) or Lose It: Understanding “Intent-to-Use” Trademark Applications”
In December 2020, the Trademark Modernization Act (TMA) was signed into law. The TMA made several changes to the Lanham Act, the federal law that governs trademark registration in the United States. The amendments focused on three primary objectives: Clarifying the evidentiary burden a plaintiff needs to meet to obtain injunctive relief in trademark infringement …
Many patentable items will not only do something; but will look like something. A utility patent may in part protect what an “article of manufacture” does, while a design patent protects what an article of manufacture looks like (i.e., its unique exterior appearance, such as its shape, configuration, or surface ornamentation). But what happens when …
While much of the advocacy in patent prosecution is in the form of written words, opportunities for oral advocacy do present themselves. During prosecution, practitioners may be required to conduct examiner interviews or attend Patent Trials and Appeals Board (PTAB) hearings, both of which require such oral advocacy. The United States Patent and Trademark Office …
We are delighted to share that legal administrative assistant Becky Ballard has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2021 class of “Unsung Legal Heroes.” The Unsung Legal Hero award honors law firm employees who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty, often behind the scenes. The honor is reserved for the most talented …
The patent application and examination process is not static. After an inventor files a non-provisional patent application, there may be opportunities to modify or expand claims made in the original “parent” application or even add new claims related to the same invention before the parent issues. Continuation-type patent applications are vehicles through which inventors can …
Continue reading “The What, Why, and How of Continuation Patent Applications”
As the America Invents Act (AIA) marks its 10th anniversary, one of its authors has introduced new legislation to change how the AIA-created Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) conducts its business. Sen. Patrick Leahy, along with Sen. John Cronyn, announced their “Restoring the America Invents Act” bill at the end of September to address …
Founded in 1934, the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) provides a platform for international dignitaries and business leaders to explore issues that shape the economic environment. The organization also seeks to identify and encourage tomorrow’s leaders, helping them develop professional skills through its Career Readiness Academy (CRA). Recently, Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Paul Palinski renewed his …
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® have released the 2022 list of the “Best Law Firms” in America, and once again, the Dobrusin Law Firm has earned a Metropolitan Tier 1 ranking—the highest ranking in the region—for our patent law practice! For each annual edition of Best Law Firms, the publishers scrutinize client and …
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We are delighted to announce DBusiness Magazine has selected five Dobrusin Law Firm shareholders among Metro Detroit’s “Top Lawyers” in intellectual property law for 2022. Our “Top Lawyers” and the IP categories in which they were recognized are: Eric Dobrusin — Intellectual Property; Intellectual Property and Patent Law; Trade Secrets Kristen Pursley — Intellectual Property …
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A journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step. So, too, does the journey of a game-changing invention. That first step is the brilliant idea, the light-bulb moment. The 1,000 miles is the long road from concept to prototype to patent. It can take a lot of time and trial and error before an …
Continue reading “Provisional v. Non-Provisional Patent Applications: What’s the Difference?”
Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Katie Pacynski served as a panelist for a virtual discussion – The “411” on IP-Related Jobs – coordinated by Michigan State University College of Law’s Career Services Office. The panel addressed various career paths for the audience of first- and second-year law students. Topics included: Different types of intellectual property-related law …
Inspiration for a novel invention may happen in a flash, but the process for patenting that invention certainly doesn’t. In many, if not most cases, it can take two to three years or more for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to complete their examination of a patent application and either grant or …
Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Paul Palinski is the newest member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Intellectual Property Law Section Council. He assumed his duties following a swearing-in ceremony on October 7, 2021, and will serve a three-year term. The Intellectual Property Law Section provides education and information on federal and state patent, trademark, and …
Meet Marijayne Renny, our Community Outreach Coordinator! We are grateful for all of her efforts on behalf of the firm.
The members of the State Bar of Michigan’s Animal Law Section voted to install Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Erin Klug as Chair-Elect of the group’s leadership council for the 2021-2023 term. The election and took place at the section’s annual meeting in September. The Animal Law Section provides education, information, and analysis about issues of …
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In another act of community involvement, Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Rebecca Wilson has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Macomb since it was chartered. Although the pandemic halted their philanthropic activities in 2020, Becky and her Kiwanis Club colleagues resumed their fundraising efforts earlier this year, continuing their mission to support local children’s …
Meet Bobbie Whitten! Bobbie is a Legal Assistant and a valuable contributor to the firm.
As many people know, Dobrusin Law Firm shareholder Daniela Walters is an avid supporter of our hometown of Pontiac. In 2017, she co-founded Main Street Pontiac, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant, safe, and inclusive downtown in Pontiac by collaborating with partners in the city, and she currently serves as treasurer. Earlier this …
Continue reading “Main Street Pontiac Announces the Creation of “The Circuit” Social District”
First released in 2007, “Intellectual Property Culture: Strategy and Compliance” provides lawyers and company executives with practical advice for constructing and managing intellectual property-oriented business cultures in the United States and abroad. LexisNexis recently released the 2021 edition of the book, which features extended discussion of U.S. Supreme Court patent cases and federal statutes along with …
Common Ground is a 24-hour crisis services agency committed to helping youths, adults, and families in turmoil. By phone, online, and in-person, the nonprofit organization serves the community by providing professional and compassionate assistance to more than 80,000 people annually. Common Ground also holds a special place in our hearts – not only do they …
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Meet Becky Ballard, another of our valuable Legal Assistants! Thank you for all you do, Becky!
The Dobrusin Law Firm
29 W. Lawrence St.
Suite 210
Pontiac, MI 48342
Phone: 248-292-2920
Fax: 248-292-2910
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