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Sean Erin Serraguard

Sean Erin Serraguard

  • Patents, Trademarks, Intellectual Property ...
  • Michigan, Texas
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Biography

From working in big law to opening his own practice, Sean has represented the intellectual property needs (e.g., patents, copyrights, and trademarks) of clients large and small for nearly a decade. He has drafted applications and performed opinion work for numerous large clients, such as IBM, Applied Materials, Toyota, Nvidia, Air Liquide, CareFusion, and Western Digital, as well as smaller clients and institutional clients. He has experience drafting and prosecuting applications for a broad variety of technologies including nanotechnology, automotive, artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacture, photolithography/maskless lithography, plasma physics, magnetic hard drive architecture, analog automation, bionic implants, bionics, chemistry, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, novel isolated genes, gene therapy, viral vectors, and computer implemented methods. Further, he has extensive experience with both foreign and domestic intellectual property prosecution matters and the relationship of these innovations to tangible business growth.

Practice Areas
Patents
Patent Appeals, Patent Litigation, Patent Prosecution
Trademarks
Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration
Intellectual Property
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Michigan
State Bar of Michigan
ID Number: P82620
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Texas
State Bar of Texas
ID Number: 24079301
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Education
Ohio University
M.S. (2018) | Electrical Engineering
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South Texas College of Law
J.D. (2011) | Law
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University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
M.S. | Pharmacology
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Texas A&M University - College Station
B.S. (2002) | Genetics
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Professional Associations
State Bar of Michigan  # P82620
Member
Current
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State Bar of Texas  # 24079301
Member
Current
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Certifications
Registered Patent Attorney
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Websites & Blogs
Website
Serraguard Law
Blog
Legal Answers
24 Questions Answered
Q. I would like to trade a phrase I guess it would be called
A: Though trademarks will depend on how you use the word or phrase, the answer is very likely no. There are numerous live marks which primarily rely on "Goat" and "G.O.A.T.", including marks which list only those words or acronyms respectively. Without doing a full search, it would be hard to know for sure. However, based on a very cursory search and the generic use of the acronym, I would recommend seeking another mark.
Q. hi,can i trademark a business idea? suppose i invented the idea of online shopping. so is it possible to patent this?
A: You can't trademark an idea. Trademarks are for distinguishing the source of goods or services. You can copyright an idea after you've reduced the idea to a "tangible form," such as writing a book or making a video. Copyrights won't protect the idea itself, however. You can patent an idea, unless the idea is part of an invention. An invention is an idea
Q. Are there any patents for online databases for gravesites/cemeteries?
A: I'm not aware of any such patent and a cursory search of the available databases don't turn up any such patents. (though there was an interesting one which incorporated video into a gravestone!) However, this doesn't tell us if one exists either in the US or in other jurisdictions. To answer this question, you would either need a patentability search or a freedom to operate analysis.

In a patentability search, a patent attorney would search through a number of sources to determine if there are any applications which would relate to your invention. Normally, a patentability search would cover all available information related to the invention, but since you just asked for patents, it could be restricted to only patents granted in this or another jurisdiction.

Alternatively, if you did not plan to file an application but just wanted to know whether you could make a product without infringing on a patent, you would want a freedom to operate analysis. The freedom to operate analysis would review the available applications and patents to determine if you can make a product or perform a specific method without infringing on a patent grant. First, I'd suggest doing a search for yourself. If you come up with something that is EXACTLY your idea, you can determine for yourself if it's a waste of time to continue. If you want to move forward after doing your own search, it's advisable to seek help from a licensed patent attorney.
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Contact & Map
Serraguard Law
755 W. Big Beaver Rd.
Suite 2020
Troy, MI 48084
Telephone: (248) 218-1221