Thompson Hine has added a new partner to its intellectual property group in Washington.
Clifton McCann, formerly a partner with Venable, focuses his IP practice on dispute resolution. He specializes in patent rights related to the chemistry, biological, mechanical and software industries.
In an interview, McCann said that his practice is two thirds litigation and one third counseling and licensing. He said the changes being enacted as part of the America Invents Act are altering the strategies employed by attorneys. One part of that is choosing the appropriate venue.
"There is going to be more activity in the patent office," McCann said. "It's a complex set of criteria whether to litigate issues in the district courts or the patent office."
McCann said that he has studied the new law, elements of which have not yet taken effect.
"On March 16, we go to the first-to-file [system], and that brings up a whole new set of strategies that we need to incorporate into the litigation and dispute resolution mix," McCann said. "It's like an octopus, if you imagine its tentacles reaching into all areas of patent law."
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