Gerald Ray Prettyman

Gerald R. Prettyman has been preparing and filing patents since 2001, and since 2006 has filed trademarks, copyrights and business filings, and worked to prevent and solve legal problems for his clients. Mr. Prettyman has prepared and filed over 200 patent applications for his clients and over 70 trademarks. Mr. Prettyman was previously an engineer and business manager, making him uniquely qualified to work with and protect the intellectual property of tech companies and to advise start-ups on how to make money without spending money. Mr. Prettyman is a U.S. Navy veteran.

• Free Consultation
  Short consultations regarding law are generally free. The complexities of patent and trademark practice and business startup and operation require a prolonged consultation (about 90 minutes), for which a low consultation fee is charged.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Online (secure) invoices are also available.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Patent drafting and most filings are generally fixed fee.

California

Since 2006

Minnesota

Since 2009

U.S. Patent Office

ID Number: 48778

Since 2001

Attorney at Law

Law Office of Gerald R. Prettyman

2008 - Current

Counsel clients on issues of patent, intellectual property law, enterprise development and corporate law. Advise clients on idea protection using patents, copyright, trademark, trade secrets and domain names. Prepare and file patents, copyright and trademark applications. Clients include: California Sunlight, Council Photographics, Layover Pillow, O-D-O. and others. Researched software copyright issues and amended copyright infringement complaint for Software For Moving, Inc. Prepare and file incorporation and non-profit filings, draft contractor and non-disclosure agreements, wills and trust documents, and legal opinion letters. Clients include: Proximity Design Systems, L.L.C., Business Builders USA, Philmaking Consultations, Funtastic PhotoBooth, A NYLegend and others. Advise clients on business development strategies for legal, engineering, marketing and funding considerations. Clients include Proximity Design Systems, L.L.C., TrueBrood and others. Advise clients on validity analysis, freedom to operate, licensing opportunities, the use of electronic commerce, the Internet and in regulatory compliance. Clients as noted above and others.

Associate Attorney

Carr & Ferrell

2007 - 2008

Conducted client interviews, and prepared and prosecuted U.S. and PCT patent applications in the following fields: Software: automated network access, malware detection, error detection and correction, language translation and social networking. Hardware: memory optimization, memory stacking, and application specific integrated circuits. Business methods: interface and tracking of parallel processes, document recording and tracking. Biofuel development and fluid dynamics.

Patent Agent

Patent Office of Gerald R. Prettyman

2001 - 2007

Drafted and prosecuted patent applications while earning a J.D., and an LL.M in Intellectual Property. Drafted and prosecuted inventions in disability assistance: Step-Shaped Staircase Lift (US 7,484,595) and Spoon with Extendable Straw (US 7,047,648). Prepared applications for Embedded Watermark (US 2007/0026204), Portable Immersible Pool Chair (US 2008/0092285), Adaptive Smart Memory Card (US 7,232,074), Flexmount Optical Waveguide, Compliant Layer Chucking Surface (US 6,835,415), and RV Stabilizer (US 6,695,348). Researched patent ownership dispute and prepared complaint for declaratory relief.

Golden Gate University

LL.M. (2007) | Intellectual Property

2005 - 2007

Golden Gate University

J.D. (2005) | Law, Intellectual Property & Real Estate

2001 - 2005

Honors: Specialization Certificate with Distinction in Intellectual Property Specialization Certificate with Distinction in Real Estate 2005 Real Estate Law Award 2002 CALI Property I Award (Best Essay). Dean's List: Spring 2005, Fall 2004, Spring 2004, Fall 2003, Fall 2002.

Activities: Teaching Assistant: Property I (3 professors, 2 semesters) and Evidence.

University of California - San Diego

B.S. (1989) | Mechanical Engineering

1985 - 1989

Activities: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Specialization Certificate with Distinction in Intellectual Property

Golden Gate University School of Law

2005

Specialization Certificate with Distinction in Real Estate

Golden Gate University School of Law

2005

Rotary Club of Pleasanton North

Foundation Chair 2015-2017,2013-14; Secretary 2012-13, Sergeant at Arms 2011-12

2009 - Current

Activities: Rotary International brings together business and professional leaders to provide national and international humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Rotary is non-political and non-sectarian and welcomes people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. Rotary has over 1.2 million individual 'Rotarians' in over 34,200 member clubs worldwide.

U. S. Patent and Trademark Office  # 48,778

Patent Attorney

2007 - Current

California State Bar  # 247887

Member

2006 - Current

U. S. Patent and Trademark Office  # 48,778

Patent Agent

2001 - 2007

American Society for Quality  # 39213

Certified Quality Engineer

1999 - 2002

Ethical Reforms in Biotechnology Research Regulations

University of Virginia School of Law, Journal of Social Policy & the Law

September, 2007

The Evolving Written Description Doctrine and the Search for Specificity

Pepperdine University School of Law, Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship & the Law

September, 2007

Patent Attorney

USPTO