CASE STUDIES

Here is a list of current representative clients describing the services we performed for them.

Creative Labs, Inc. – Electronics, Silicon Valley CA

Creative Labs, Inc. is the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer (PC) and the Internet. Creative is expanding the power of the personal computer with a wide range of interactive PDE products that comprises MP3 players, portable media centers, multimedia speakers and headphones, digital and web cameras, graphics solutions, revolutionary music keyboards and PC peripherals. Creative Labs, Inc. is the sales, marketing, training and customer support organization for Creative Technology in the Americas.  We assist Creative in its U.S. patent protection by assisting corporate counsel in preparing responses to USPTO office actions and other patent prosecution matters.

Heliodyne – Solar Heating Products and Manufacturing, Richmond CA

Heliodyne is one of the oldest and most respected firms in the solar hot water industry.  We are currently assisting Heliodyne in obtaining U.S. and Canadian design patent protection for its uniquely designed solar hot water distribution system components.

Please visit their website at www.heliodyne.com.

Vertical Communications – Telephone Systems, Santa Clara CA

Vertical is a leading provider of telephony systems and voice applications to business customers worldwide.  With a focus on delivering application-rich, affordable VoIP systems to small and medium businesses, Vertical is an innovator in delivering high-value voice applications that enable businesses to be more productive and dramatically reduce costs.  We currently assist Vertical in the management and protection of its trademark portfolio, and we provide consultation and protection measures regarding other intellectual property assets.

“John has been instrumental in helping us cut our legal expenses while continuing to maintain quality and oversight for our intellectual property protection measures.  His advice is both concise and timely, and valued by the Executive Team at Vertical.” ( Craig Morgan, Director of Marketing, Vertical Communications.)

Visit Vertical's website at www.vertical.com

 

Clare Beau Jewelry - Jewelry Design and Manufacturing, Berkeley CA

Clare Beau Founder Uri Talmon recently patented a jewelry display design that is a popular product in the Clare Beau line.  We helped Uri obtain his patent and continue to assist him in pursuing copyright and design patent protection for those designs.

Ann Hawkinson - Architect - Palo Alto, CA

Ann Hawkinson invented a unique design for a hanging illuminated vase which she wanted to protect and market. We assisted her in researching prior art and putting a design patent application on file with the US Patent and Trademark Office. We also assisted Ann in contracting with a manufacturer.

“John did a wonderful job filing and helping me with my patent application and has been very knowledgeable in other  business matters . He gets back to me right away, is very organized and to the point. I appreciate his knowledge and  expertise .” (Ann Hawkinson, Architect)

Rainmaker Communications – Marketing Communications, Mountain View CA

Rainmaker Communications provides marketing and communications consulting services to numerous high-profile companies in Silicon Valley and nationwide.  We have provided trademark counseling to Rainmaker and are currently helping them obtain U.S. trademark registration for their corporate name.

“John did a great job of de-mystifying the trademark process for Rainmaker. He made it very easy and straightforward. We wish we had hired him sooner!” (Stacy Pena, Principal)

Please visit their website at www.RainmakerCommunications.com.

West Coast Novelty Corp. -Licensed Sports Products, Alameda CA

West Coast Novelty is the largest distributor of licensed sports products in the United States. WCN is a supplier to Wal-Mart and other large retail stores.

"We work with John to handle all of our Trademark search and registration needs. He handles them swiftly and effectively for far less than what we were paying a major local firm to handle the same responsibilities. He is easy to work with and doesn't create a lot of unnecessary billable work."  (Brian McCroden, CEO)

 

Learn more about West Coast Novelty at www.WestCoastNovelty.com

FUEL Agency – Advertising & Branding, Oakland CA

FUEL is an award-winning advertising & branding firm which has created many high-visibility campaigns for national and international clients.  We serve as a resource to FUEL as questions arise on intellectual property protection matters during the development of advertising campaigns.  We have also performed prior art research on several patentable product designs.

“We really appreciate John’s expertise and attention to detail.  He has been very helpful in a wide range of legal matters over the years, and we are all happy to recommend his services to others.” (Guy Needham, Partner/Creative Director)

“John is a very conscientious and approachable attorney. He is has been a great legal resource.”  (Karen Monté, Partner/Director of Client Services)

Please visit their website at www.fuelagency.com.

STAT Revenue – Financial Consulting for Healthcare Entities, Berkeley CA

STAT Revenue helps hospitals and other healthcare facilities recover lost or overlooked revenue by conducting reviews and collections on closed accounts.  We assisted STAT in obtaining trademark registration for its company name.  We also provide ongoing assistance in general business law matters including employment contracts, vendor and consulting agreements and other business transactions.

“John provides very practical advice and blends his legal expertise with a strong business perspective.  He gets the job done in an efficient and economical manner.  We are very pleased with his professionalism and results.” (Kevin Lee, President)

Please visit their website at www.statrev.com.

Dumican Mosey Architects – Architectural Professionals, San Francisco CA

Dumican Mosey is a San Francisco based architectural firm specializing in design oriented architecture, landscape, and interior design projects.  We have provided Dumican Mosey with advice pertaining to the protection of copyrights and other intellectual property assets.  We also assist with general business law matters. 

"As a young, growing design and architectural firm we rely heavily on the specific expertise of our consultants on a day to day basis.  John Merchant has proved to be a valuable resource in helping us to understand complex copyright and intellectual property issues in a manner which allows us to make clear and confident decisions critical to the success of our business."              (Eric Dumican – Principal)

Please visit their website at www.dumicanmosey.com

Ganache for Lips – All Natural Gourmet Lip Balm, Berkeley CA

Ganache for Lips is a successful line of lip balm developed by entrepreneur Patty West. We helped obtain trademark protection for the name and logo of her lip product line, and we assisted her with issues involving foreign trademark licensing. We continue to work with Ms. West on various new projects currently in development.

“I highly recommend John. He is a straight-shooter and very responsive, and he understands the challenges that face small businesses like mine.  He has been especially helpful to me in reviewing my contracts with overseas distributors.”

 

Please visit their website at www.ganacheforlips.com.

 

LABELWATCH – Health Information Web Site, Alameda CA

LABELWATCH is the first and only informational website that compares ingredients and additives in packaged foods. With a growing database of over 25,000 brand-name products, LABELWATCH allows consumers to compare their favorite brands, by providing information about the complex ingredients and additives contained within each product.  We assisted LabelWatch.com in registering its trademark, drafted online agreements and disclaimers, and we continue to provide counseling on a number of intellectual property matters.

 

 “John has been invaluable in helping us establish our site as a cutting-edge tool for consumers. John provides more than just legal counsel for us, we consider him a part of our strategic team.”  (Diane Manning – President)

 

Please visit their website at www.LABELWATCH.com

 

IntelliEvent – Software Supplier, Monterey CA

 IntelliEvent is a leading supplier of rental software for event focused rental and production companies.  The IntelliEvent software allows event resource and management organizations easily perform a number of critical tasks including keeping track of their client information, organize rental equipment, schedule maintenance, and determine availability.  We assist IntelliEvent in evaluating and protecting its intellectual property resources.  When its trademarks became threatened by large well-funded corporate interests, we helped it find appropriately sized litigation counsel to defend the threat and structure an amicable settlement agreement. 

 

“We feel confident that our intellectual property is being appropriately protected.  John helps us asses our options and find the most practical legal solutions.”  (Don Romeka – President.)

 

Please visit their website at www.IntelliEvent.com.

 

PR & Company – Public Relations and Marketing, San Francisco CA

 PR & Company is a strategic communications firm helping changemakers succeed. Working with those committed to a triple bottom line – people, profits and planet –they serve as strategic advisors to social entrepreneurs, innovators, thought leaders, socially responsible businesses, nonprofits and foundations. We regularly assist PR&C with general business law matters and in drafting consulting agreements, independent contractor agreements, and commercial contracts which help protect their intellectual property assets.

“John Merchant is a great business advisor and counselor.  His thoughtful, calm demeanor minimizes the naturally adversarial nature of law.  You can count on him for excellent advice that will save you money, win you business and advance your cause.”  (Pat Reilly – President)

Please visit their website at www.prandcompany.com.

WebTennis.net – Online Tennis Instruction and Fitness Products, Moraga CA

 WebTennis.net features instructional videos and analysis aimed at helping tennis players from around the world improve their tennis games.  It also features products and services for the tennis enthusiast.  We assisted WebTennis.net in reviewing its online contracts and liability disclaimers.  We provide ongoing support and advice regarding general business and intellectual property protection matters. 

 

“John has been very helpful to the growth and protection of our site. He is very knowledgeable and provides practical thoughtful advice.  I would recommend his services to any website owner.”   (Brent Abel, Owner)

Please visit their website at www.WebTennis.net.

Soundwave Studios – Music Rehearsal Studios, Oakland CA

Soundwave Studios has been renting music rehearsal space to professional and amateur musicians and bands since 1983.  It is one of the preeminent music rehearsal spaces in the East Bay and has been home to numerous award winning artists.  Soundwave provides its customers with a number of related services, including recording and production. We have provided Soundwave with a variety of legal services throughout the years on a variety of matters including vendor agreements, corporate entity, leasehold, and intellectual property protection matters.

 

“John has been an invaluable legal resource.  He provides top notch legal service and really cares about his clients.  I recommend him to all my business associates.”  (Alan Lucchesi – Owner) 

 

Please visit them online at www.soundwavestudios.wordpress.com.

 

PHDs.org – Website, San Francisco CA

 PHDs.org is a website dedicated to helping students prepare for the changing demands of today’s job market and to providing a voice to early career scientists.  The website is designed to allow users to assess graduate school prospects, prioritize criteria, and target programs which would best suit needs and aspirations of the prospective students. The site also creates incentives for graduate programs to keep pace with the sweeping changes taking place in the market for PhDs.   We assisted PHDs.org is revising their user agreements and privacy policies to best accommodate their growing user base.

 

Please visit them online at www.PhDs.org.

John Murray Productions, Inc. – Event Production, Oakland CA

 John Murray Productions (JMP) is a successful production company specializing in live event design and production.  After years of working in and around large conferences, JMP developed several innovative designs for stackable conference tables which are both attractive and extremely economical to set-up and ship.  We analyzed the prior art and worked closely with JMP designers to file for U.S. utility patent protection for their designs. We have registered the JMP name and corporate logo as U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  We have also assisted JMP with the development of an employee handbook and a buy-sell agreement.  We continue to advise JMP on a variety of intellectual property and business law matters.

 “John has been a great legal resource to for our company. He is friendly, knowledgeable and practical.”  (John Murray, Principal)

 “We really enjoy working with John and we recommend his serves to our friends and business associates.” (Clinton Stockton, Principal) 

Please visit the JMP website at www.johnmurray.com