Michael A. Koptiw

Mike Koptiw’s approach to advice on patent matters, particularly patent prosecution, is captured nicely by Sun Tzu’s Art of War which teaches — every battle is won or lost before it is fought. “Each word in a patent application is a potential battle ground for litigation,” Mike says. “Every comment in an office action response can mean the difference between an efficient licensing deal and a costly legal proceeding, so I see my client’s patents and patent applications, as well as their competitors’, through that lens.”

Mike, with five patents himself, worked as a network systems engineer at AT&T Labs and that experience has shaped how he communicates with clients. “With my clients, I like to take a collaborative approach, says Mike. “I feel that clients get a better patent asset when the technical folks, the legal folks, and outside counsel are all on the same page. So, I work to pull all parties together, particularly when working through tough issues.  Communication is critical here — face-to-face is better than the phone is better than email.”

Mike focuses his practice on complex prosecution/portfolio management projects, infringement analysis, and invalidity studies. Mike has experience with patent litigation and licensing. “I just plain get a kick out of dealing with new and different technology and awesome people that work in technology,” Mike says. “It’s exciting to engage with entrepreneurs and resonate their energy. It’s satisfying to debate and explore complex issues of intertwining law and fact with an in-house legal team. And, it’s fun to get creative and respond to the ideas of inventors on the edge of their fields.”

When Mike’s not at work, you might find him enjoying the outdoors with his wife and two sons — fishing, biking, or maybe just working around the house and yard.

Publications/Presentations

• Issues in Patent Prosecution,Drexel School of Law, guest lecture, March 2011
• Issues in Patent Prosecution, Temple School of Law, guest lecture, March 2011
• Developments in Patent Reform, internal seminar, February 2011
• Leveraging ordinary skill after KSR, internal seminar, January 2010
• Issues in Patent Law, International Conference on the Commercialization of New Technology, Widener University, October 2009
• Book Review: Marking it All Work by David Allen, The Philadelphia Lawyer, Spring 2009
• Bilski issues, Temple School of Law, guest lecture, March 2009
• Bilski issues, Drexel School of Law, guest lecture, March 2009
• IP and Export Controls, internal seminar, March 2009

Awards:

• Super Lawyers Magazine, Rising Star 2010, 2011