R. Parrish Freeman
Registered Patent Attorney • Partner
Education
J.D., Campbell University School of Law
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chemistry
Expertise
Patent Litigation • Trademark Litigation • Complex Commercial Litigation • Inter Partes Review Proceedings • Internet Domain Name Disputes
Parrish is an experienced litigator whose practice is focused primarily on patent, trademark, and other intellectual property and complex commercial matters. Whether it’s dealing with allegations of infringement, coordinating a large-scale enforcement effort, or negotiating a license, Parrish is adept at helping his clients navigate the complex intellectual property issues they encounter daily. Parrish has litigated patent cases across a wide spectrum of technologies, from very complicated chemical, electrical, and software matters to relatively simple mechanical cases.
Parrish grew up in Tennessee, attended college and law school in North Carolina, and then moved to the mountains of Utah, where he has been handling patent and other intellectual property disputes since 1998. While his undergraduate degree is in chemistry, his proven ability to assimilate any technology and a nuanced understanding of patent law that only years of experience can bring make him a valued senior member of the Maschoff Brennan litigation practice group.
Parrish represents clients in Section 337 and International Trade Commission (ITC) investigations, guiding them throughout the entire process including filing the complaint through the investigation conclusion; representation in parallel proceedings before district courts and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and, if necessary, appeals to the Federal Circuit.
In addition, Parrish’s practice includes inter-partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings. His understanding of the interplay between these administrative proceedings and traditional infringement litigation gives his clients a real advantage over their adversaries.
Parrish has handled a number of trademark and trade dress enforcement matters over the years. In many cases, Parrish has helped his clients save considerable time and money by reaching their enforcement goals through UDRP proceedings rather than through conventional litigation.
As a registered patent attorney, Parrish is also equipped to prosecute matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), although he has focused his practice over the years on enforcing and defending intellectual property rights rather than procuring them.
Parrish often writes and lectures on a wide variety of Intellectual property-related topics. He currently volunteers his time as a member of the Patent Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association, IP Section, and is continually listed in Best Lawyers in America rankings for Litigation—Patent, Litigation—Intellectual Property, Patent Law, and Trademark Law.
My Focus
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Representative Matters
United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Patent Trial and Appeal Board - Inter Partes Review
(Petitioner) Handi Quilter, Inc. v Bernina Int'l AG, IPR2013-00364, Final written decision
(Petitioner) Handi Quilter, Inc. v Bernina Int'l AG, IPR2014-00270, Granting request for rehearing and instituting IPR
(Patent Owner) ADT, LLC v Vivint, Inc, IPR2022-00612, Denying institution of IPR
(Patent Owner) ADT, LLC v Vivint, Inc, IPR2022-00634, Denying institution of IPR
(Patent Owner) ADT, LLC v Vivint, Inc, IPR2022-00642, Denying institution of IPR
(Patent Owner) Motorola Mobility LLC v Largan Precision Co. Ltd., IPR2022-01023, Denying institution of IPR
(Patent Owner) Motorola Mobility LLC v Largan Precision Co. Ltd., IPR2022-01210, Final written decision for patent owner
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technical experience
Medical Devices
Pharmaceuticals
Computer Hardware and Software
Telecommunication Hardware and Software
Heavy Machinery
Home Electronics
Biodegradable Plastics and Cleaners
Chemical Compositions and Processes
Blow-Molded Plastics
Sports Equipment
Synthetic Fuels
Health and Fitness Equipment
Nutritional Supplements
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Professional Admissions & Associations
Utah State Bar
Tennessee State Bar
United States Patent and Trademark Office
American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
Chair, Trial and Appellate Rules Committee
Member, CLE Board 2018 – 2020
Member, Patent Litigation Committee
American Intellectual Property Law Association
Vice Chair, Trademark Internet Committee
Member, David K. Winder Intellectual Property American Inn of Court
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Publications & Presentations
Publications
“Hey, that’s my idea!” Why protecting your ideas requires more than being first, The Enterprise (October 13, 2020)
Landslide Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 6, July / August 2014, “Surviving the Coming Flood of New Generic Top-Level Domains – How to Keep Your Property Safe and Dry”
Attorney at Law Magazine, March 2014, “Taming the Cost of Patent Litigation: E-Discovery Cost Control”
Utah Business Journal, August 2012, “Change in Domain – How New Generic Top-Level Domains Will Change the Internet”
Lexology Blog Post 4/6/2012 – “Reining in Litigation Expense – Chief Judge Rader Speaks Out on E-Discovery and Other Issues”
Lexology Blog Post 10/5/2011 – “Are Your Trademarks Protected From Becoming .xxx Domain Names? They May Not Be Unless You Act Before October 28”
Presentations
"Product Designs & Product Packaging Protection: How To Leverage Your Trade Dress," Association of Corporate Counsel - Mountain West Chapter (March 15, 2022)
"How to Leverage Your Trade Dress Rights," Utah Business Magazine Webinar (March 2, 2022)
Presentation to Nevada State Bar Intellectual Property Section – Recent Developments in Federal Circuit Law of Indefiniteness – 10/23/2015
Panel Discussion for Licensing Executives Society on State and Federal Anti-Troll Legislation – 5/16/2014
CLE Presentation sponsored by Utah State University on Inter Partes Review and Covered Business Method Review Proceedings – 4/10/2014
CLE Presentation on Inter Partes Review and Covered Business Method Review Proceedings – 3/27/2014
CLE Presentation to Utah State Bar on State Demand Letter Legislation – 3/25/2014
CLE Presentation to Utah State Bar Spring Meeting on New Generic Top-Level Domains – 3/14/2014
CLE Presentation on Inter Partes Review and Covered Business Method Review Proceedings – 2/21/2014
CLE Presentation on Inter Partes Review and Covered Business Method Review Proceedings – 12/11/2013
CLE Presentation on Trademark Clearinghouse and New gTLDs – 3/22/2013
CLE Presentation to American Intellectual Property Law Association on Electronic Discovery in Patent Cases – 9/5/2012
Moderator for Roundtable Discussion featuring Chief Judge Randall R. Rader to ABA IP Section 27th Annual Conference regarding Federal Circuit Advisory Council’s Model Order on E-Discovery in Patent Litigation – 3/28/2012
CLE Presentation to Tennessee Intellectual Property Law Association on Internet Domain Name Disputes – 4/22/2011
CLE Presentation to Tennessee Bar Association on Recent Federal Circuit Cases – 7/25/2010
CLE Presentation on Electronic Discovery – 10/5/2007
CLE Presentation on Internet Domain Name Disputes – 4/21/2006
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Awards & Recognitions
Named as Lawyer of the Year 2021 in Trademark Law by Best Lawyers in America©
Best Lawyers in America© 2023: Litigation – Patent; Litigation – Intellectual Property; Patent Law; and Trademark Law
Best Lawyers in America© 2022: Litigation – Patent; Litigation – Intellectual Property; Patent Law; and Trademark Law
Best Lawyers in America© 2020: Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; Patent Law
Best Lawyers in America© 2018: Litigation – Patent; Litigation – Intellectual Property; Patent Law; and Trademark Law
Best Lawyers in America© 2017: Litigation – Patent; Litigation – Intellectual Property; and Trademark Law
Best Lawyers in America© 2016: Litigation – Patent; Litigation – Intellectual Property; and Trademark Law
Best Lawyers in America© 2015: Litigation – Patent and Litigation – Intellectual Property