Stephen Hall's practice is centered in the area of intellectual property and technology issues. Stephen has an active trial practice litigating patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation and technology issues in state and federal courts. He also works closely with established and emerging technology companies in preparing and negotiating various software and technology contracts and license agreements. Stephen also has an active patent and trademark prosecution practice, assisting clients in developing, protecting, managing and exploiting their intellectual property.
Stephen Hall's practice is centered in the area of intellectual property and technology issues. Stephen has an active trial practice litigating patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation and technology issues in state and federal courts. He also works closely with established and emerging technology companies in preparing and negotiating various software and technology contracts and license agreements. Stephen also has an active patent and trademark prosecution practice, assisting clients in developing, protecting, managing and exploiting their intellectual property.
Stephen’s practice is focused in three primary areas:
Litigation Practice
Stephen has handled a wide variety of patent infringement matters, including cases involving weather systems, medical devices, synthetic vectors and pharmaceuticals. Stephen has also represented clients in various copyright and trademark infringement cases, as well as trade secret misappropriation cases. Stephen’s litigation practice also includes representing clients in trademark oppositions and cancellations before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and other alternative tribunals such as ICANN. Stephen has also represented government contractors in bid protests.
Transactional Practice
Stephen has an active transactional practice where he counsels clients in the use, acquisition, development, and licensing of intellectual property rights. Stephen’s transactional practice includes:
- Preparation and negotiating License Agreements, including patent licenses, trademark licenses, and copyright licenses.
- Preparation and negotiating Joint Research, Development, and Collaboration agreements.
- Preparation and negotiating software and IT contracts, both for vendors and users.
- Conducting intellectual property audits to identify, protect, and commercialize valuable IP.
- Advising clients on intellectual property issues arising out of government contracts.
Prosecution Practice
Stephen frequently prosecutes patent and trademark applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition to the various patents and trademarks Stephen has successfully prosecuted, his practice also includes:
- Preparation/advise/counseling clients and businesses in developing intellectual property portfolios.
- Preparation of patentability opinions advising clients/businesses of the potential scope of patent protection available for their ideas/inventions/products.
- Preparation of infringement opinions and validity opinions advising clients on the potential liability, level of protection, or enforceability associated with issued patents.
- Conducting patent interference and re-exam proceedings.
Stephen is a graduate of Alabama School of Law and received his engineering degree from Auburn University. He is licensed to practice law in Alabama and is also a registered patent attorney. Stephen is admitted to practice before the United States Patents and Trademark Office, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Court (Northern District of Alabama), and all Alabama state courts.