For more than 20 years, we have partnered with technology transfer offices at universities and research institutions to help identify, protect, monetize and enforce their IP, while working within the increasingly complex world of academic research and industry collaborations. This includes working with the country’s most distinguished academic medical centers, state and private universities, research hospitals and other provider organizations, related businesses, research institutes and patient advocacy organizations to build and maintain thriving, strategic programs.
Our interdisciplinary team includes IP lawyers, patent agents and technical specialists with advanced technical degrees in the sciences and engineering, alongside transactional lawyers and litigators that know the legal and business challenges clients confront in the technology transfer environment. Our team understands the trends shaping the future of technology transfer, including the emerging efforts of some academic institutions to directly enforce their IP rights against industry infringers. We leverage the collective resources of our corporate, litigation, regulatory, tax, employment and government contracting capabilities to serve the evolving needs of tech transfer programs and ensure clients can easily navigate every possible business and legal obstacle.
We strive to operate as a seamless extension of our clients’ in-house operations, offering practical guidance, creative solutions and a range of tailored services to meet each technology transfer program’s individual needs. For instance, we have developed strong relationships with litigation funders seeking to finance patent enforcement campaigns, and have the experience to guide our technology transfer clients through this process and make use of these innovative resources.
Our services include intellectual property procurement and enforcement; negotiating and structuring licensing agreements, material transfer agreements, sponsored research agreements, clinical trial agreements and other research and IP-oriented collaboration agreements; developing and revising institutional IP policies, technology transfer operations and template agreements; formation and follow-on financing of spin-offs; and supporting operational aspects of internal and external research/venture funds, technology accelerator programs and incubators.
Pacific Coast Business Times | September 01, 2020
This article, covering a new complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on behalf of the Regents of the University of California (UC), quotes Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Seth Levy on the ongoing patent enforcement campaign. The complaint seeks an investigation into the unauthorized importation and sale after importation of UC’s patented filament LED lighting technology by General Electric, Savant Systems, Feit Electric, Home Depot, Ikea, and Satco Products.
Newsweek | February 29, 2020
Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly provides third-party commentary in this article about investigations into scientists and researchers at universities across the country for alleged theft of intellectual property and U.S. secrets as part of a long-term Chinese campaign.
Tech Transfer Tactics | February 18, 2020
Intellectual Property partners Evan Langdon of Washington, DC, and Shawn Hansen and Seth Levy of Los Angeles co-wrote this article explaining how the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) can be a “powerfully effective venue” for patent protection. Evan, Shawn, and Seth are leading the NP team representing the University of California in an investigation pending at the ITC concerning LED lightbulb technology. Read the full article on techtransfercentral.com.
TotalRetail | February 13, 2020
This article analyzes the potential for lasting implications to the global supply chain as a result of the University of California’s (UC) patent enforcement campaign against several retailers selling filament LED lightbulbs. Los Angeles Intellectual Property partners Seth Levy and Shawn Hansen are the lead attorneys representing UC.
Pacific Coast Business Times | February 07, 2020
The article mentions Nixon Peabody’s ongoing representation of the Regents of the University of California in UC Santa Barbara’s patent enforcement matter, noting that a recent $1.1 billion verdict for the California Institute of Technology in another matter could bode well for UC Santa Barbara. Los Angeles Intellectual Property partners Seth Levy and Shawn Hansen are the lead attorneys representing UC.
The Hechinger Report | January 17, 2020
In this article about the ways universities succeed or fail in monetizing their intellectual property, Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Seth Levy talks about NP’s patent enforcement work on behalf of the University of California.
Tech Transfer Central | January 08, 2020
This article quotes Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Seth Levy discussing Nixon Peabody’s representation of the University of California, which has sued General Electric as part of its ongoing campaign to enforce its patents on LED lightbulb technology. Seth and Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Shawn Hansen are leading the NP team.
Pacific Coast Business Times | January 02, 2020
Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Seth Levy is quoted in this story covering the latest developments in UC Santa Barbara’s patent enforcement campaign to protect its LED lightbulb technology, including the addition of General Electric as a defendant. Seth and Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Shawn Hansen are leading the NP team.
Yahoo! Finance | December 02, 2019
This announcement related to UC Santa Barbara's first-of-its-kind patent enforcement campaign shares that LEDVANCE, one of the world’s leading general lighting providers, has entered into a licensing agreement that authorizes the company to manufacture and distribute UC Santa Barbara’s patented filament LED technology. LEDVANCE is the largest manufacturer to date that has signed a licensing agreement. The announcement mentions Nixon Peabody for representing UC Santa Barbara.
Partner
Leader, Intellectual Property Practice
Co-chair, Life Sciences Practice
Phone: 213-629-6161
Partner
Phone: 617-345-6057