Patent Portfolio Development

Seager, Tufte & Wickhem (STW) patent attorneys and agents have backgrounds and degrees in a variety of technologies and engineering disciplines including: physics, mathematics, chemistry, mechanical, electrical, biomedical, manufacturing, agriculture, biosystems, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, and molecular genetics, among others.  STW’s patent attorneys and agents practice in a variety of technology areas, including:

Because issues surround the specification and arguments supporting patentability are very different from mechanical or electrical patent issues, prosecution of chemical patents requires a unique set of skills.  In addition, understanding how chemical aspects of an invention can enhance mechanical or electrical intellectual properties is also important in protecting your interests. We focus on both the chemical patent issues and their integration into your comprehensive intellectual property portfolio. { J. Scot Wickhem }

Patent activity in chemical processing or manufacturing and applications of chemical technology to non-chemical fields is an area of phenomenal growth, and this unique and specialized practice is one of our strengths. Seager, Tufte & Wickhem (STW) understands that the diverse and intricate nature of chemicals means chemical patents must be written to protect not only compositions of matter where possible, but also commercially important applications for the composition and unique methods of manufacturing the composition.  Additionally, STW strives to obtain patent protection for its clients that encompasses a full range of outcomes that viable competitor variations to the process or application may address.

As we enter new technology frontiers, patent work in the areas of raw material extraction, filtration, distillation, waste treatment and other chemical-related processes becomes even more important.  STW works closely with its clients to provide the best possible strategies for short-term and long-term protection in this evolving field.

Our knowledge of the chemical intellectual property arena covers a broad range of compositions, materials, processes, and industries.  Relevant industry sectors include:

  • Agriculture
  • Biotechnology
  • Computer, Software, and User Interface Technologies
  • Electromechanical
  • Electronics
  • Medical Devices
  • Energy
  • Food
  • Immunology
  • Optics

We are focused on finding and securing the most appropriate forms of protection. For electrical and software technologies, this often includes a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection. Using our combined technical and legal expertise, we can develop a solid strategy for both short- and long-term protection.” { Brian N. Tufte }

Seager, Tufte & Wickhem (STW) specializes in securing maximum patent protection for both hardware and software technologies.  We are well-versed in a variety of advanced electronic technologies, including advanced computer architectures, memory storage subsystems and peripherals, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design and testing, semiconductor processing, networks, telecommunications, control systems, displays, image processing, opto-electronics and various sensor technologies. STW attorneys and agents are also well-versed in a wide variety of software technologies including software architectures, operating systems, object-oriented programming solutions, complex algorithms, technical and consumer application programs, programs involving software-implemented business methods and related technologies.

STW’s extensive industry experience is vital to fully understanding your technology and ensuring that your rights are protected.

Our knowledge of the electrical intellectual property arena covers a broad range of compositions, materials, processes, and industries.  Relevant industry sectors include:

  • Agriculture
  • Computer, Software, and User Interfaces
  • Communications
  • Electromechanical
  • Electronics
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Devices
  • Optics
  • Recreational Devices and Systems

Our engineering experience is a strong asset to our clients.  We can identify the patent potential in components or design details to obtain complete protection for your inventions.{ Glenn M. Seager }

Our attorneys are trained engineers or scientists with technical experience in all aspects of design, patenting, and product development processes. We specialize in medical devices and therapies, but are fluent in all mechanical fields.

Seager, Tufte & Wickhem (STW) offers clients a distinctive combination of engineering experience and legal expertise.  We have the real-world technical know-how that allows us to quickly grasp and interpret your concepts in a legally significant matter to broadly protect your mechanical design.  STW’s approach often involves working with your marketing, research and development, and manufacturing divisions during all phases of product development to cover all aspects of new product creation.  By including us early in the mechanical device development process, STW can help identify and document the patentable aspects of your designs and assist in procuring intellectual property that is commercially valuable to your business.

Our knowledge of mechanical design and manufacturing covers a broad range of components, processes and industries. Relevant industry sectors include:

  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Electromechanical
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Devices (surgical – diagnostic – therapeutic – orthopedic)
  • Recreational Devices and Systems