Sterne Kessler Goldstein and Fox PLLC

Sterne, Kessler, Goldein & Fox PLLC, is an intellectual property specialty law firm active in the biofuels arena.

The desire to "go green" is more than a living trend -- over the last few decades the movement towards protecting our Earth and its resources has grown from the vision of a few into a true mainstream movement embraced by companies of all shapes and sizes. One way SKGF has joined the movement is through the formal establishment of its CleanTech Industry Group in 2006. The firm is committed to bringing clean technology innovation to market through strategic IP counsel.

Clean technology or cleantech? has been defined as a diverse range of innovative products, services, and processes that are designed to provide superior performance at lower costs, greatly reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts and, in doing so, improve quality of life. SKGF's attorneys serve a broad range of companies with products, services, and processes in diverse technologies including:

* Bioplastics
* Biofuels: biogas, ethanol, butanol and biodiesel
* Cellulosic biomass?: degradation and ethanol production technologies
* Clean water technologies
* Carbon footprint technologies
* Energy generation and storage
* Fuel cells
* Green building materials
* Green IT
* Geothermal technologies
* Less invasive mining techniques
* Natural pesticides
* Next generation wind technologies
* Green household products
* Organism engineering
* Ocean energy technologies
* Petrochemical substitution
* Photovoltaics and solar energy
* Smart grid

Special Status

One of the advantages enjoyed by those innovating in some areas of clean technology is the possibility of being accorded "special" status by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Applications which have been made "special" enjoy an expedited examination process at the USPTO. Specifically, the USPTO will accord "special" status to all patent applications for inventions which materially enhance the quality of life of mankind by contributing to the restoration or maintenance of the basic life-sustaining natural elements, i.e., air, water and soil, as well as those which materially contribute to (a) the discovery or development of energy resources, or (b) the more efficient utilization and conservation of energy resources.

We can also advise on the latest options for accelerating examination of cleantech inventions such Green Tech Pilot Program at the USPTO, the "Green Channel" in the United Kingdom as well as options in other countries and regions important to clean technology markets.

Representative Matters:

* Biomass/Biofuels: crop-based energy sources such as ethanol produced from corn or cellulosic biomass and biodiesel produced from vegetable oils
* Biofuels: enzyme products for biomass conversion
* Biofuels from non-food sources
* Renewable replacements for petroleum-based ingredients in coatings such as oil-derived additives for use in paints
* Method for manufacturing composite membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cell
* Photovoltaics and Solar Energy: Amorphous and nanocrystalline solar cells, including methods of production and mounting systems
* Lighting: CFL and LED lamps
* Fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies comprising nanostructures, such as nanowires
* Carbon footprint technology: Use of micro- and/or nanowires of mineral oxides for carbon dioxide sequestration

SKGF has a team of attorneys and technical staff with advanced training across a variety of disciplines. Many have worked as patent examiners at the USPTO or worked in private industry, prior to joining the firm. For more information about our Cleantech industry group or the services we provide, please contact Peter A. Jackman.

External links

Summary of Global Initiatives for Accelerated Examination of Cleantech Patent Applications

Taking Advantage of the USPTO's New Green Technology Pilot Program

Protecting Clean Technology Collaboration

Compulsory Licensing of Clean Technology- Saving the Environment or Stifling Innovation?

Promise or Peril: Assessing Impact of Compulsory Licensing Schemes on Cleantech Innovation

Patent Pollution: Clearing the Patent Landscape and Protecting Innovation Presentation

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Stimulates Clean Technology Initiatives and Green Patent Strategies

Patent Pollution: Clearing the Patent Landscape and Protecting Innovation

CleanTech Open Patent Strategies: Reexamination

Raising Green Patents

Patent Strategies in a Green Environment

How Energy Efficient Innovators Can Avoid Patent Problems