Our services

Cougar Patent Law provides many types of services, advice, and support in patent and related law areas. What sets us apart is our approach to and philosophy of working with a client – We focus on integrating patent and policy strategies to support and enhance the business purposes of a client. To achieve this goal, we first become familiar with the business goals, business plan and development stage of the client. We then work with the client to prioritize action items and agree on form of work product to fit needs and budget. As projects progress, client feedback is sought. It is a partnership style of work.

We are available to work with you on a continuing basis or for one-off projects. In particular, you may desire support in one or more of the following areas of our experience:

• client counseling in all aspects of patents and patent strategy,

• advising on United States and international aspects of patent law,

• patent landscape determination,

• freedom-to-operate analysis, including claim analysis,

• drafting license agreements,

• IP audit,

• due diligence, and

• patent application drafting and patent prosecution.

Client counseling is usually the most important activity. Counseling encompasses providing general advice on patent strategy, raising awareness of the issues faced, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of alternative approaches, educating on patent procedures, and ensuring that the client has the information necessary to make informed decisions.

International aspects of patent law involve more than just deciding in which countries to file for patent protection. International treaties, such as TRIPs (Trade-related aspects of intellectual property) and CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), and domestic implementation of these treaties affect business decisions at many levels. By integrating international issues from the beginning, patent applications can be proactively written for prosecution in key countries, and freedom-to-operate analyses performed with international markets in mind. All together, our international experience and contacts bring a perspective and knowledge that results in high-value counsel for our clients.

Technical areas of practice

We are comfortable working in any area of biotechnology. The scientific career of Carol Nottenburg, PhD - principal of Cougar Patent Law - has spanned several health-related areas (see c.v. and biography). Agricultural biotechnology is another area in which we have extensive experience. The technologies of clients cover a wide breadth of biology, including medical devices, genomics, diagnostic assays, vaccines, stem cells, plant biotechnology, to chemistry and the occasional widget.
The majority of past and current clients are small biotechnology companies in an early stage of economic growth. Some of them have had substantial patent portfolios. For example, a current client - CAMBIA - is a non-profit, private research institute that has over 12 patent families.

Location, location, location

Our clients are located around the world. We are mindful of the distance and time differences and can readily accommodate. Moreover, travel to most any part of the world is possible. In particular, Carol regularly visits Australia and has a legal assistant there.