Chemistry is the study of matter, and materials science involves identifying and formulating materials for practical applications. U.S. patent law has always considered “compositions of matter” to be patentable. New and useful materials may be patented, as may new uses for known substances and new processes for forming them.
Kolisch Hartwell has practiced in these technically demanding areas for decades, starting in 1956 with Tim Hartwell. Since that time, the firm’s practice has followed the development of the chemical and materials industry from our early emphasis on forest products to our current practice in energy, electronics, and biotechnology. We represent clients across the broad spectrum of chemical and materials technologies, including:
- Agriculture and food processing
- Biological, medical, and pharmaceutical
- Electronics and semiconductors
- Energy and environmental
- Forest products, paper products, and engineered wood products
- Petrochemicals, plastics, thermoplastics, elastomers, and polymers
- Thin-film media.
Our portfolio shows some representative chemical and materials science patents that we have prosecuted.
Our attorneys who practice in this area have at least one undergraduate or advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, biochemistry, or a related discipline. Many of our attorneys also have extensive practical experience and can therefore easily discuss your technology with those inventing it. Our practitioners have technical expertise in:
- Adhesives, coatings, paints, inks, and sealants
- Agrochemicals including fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
- Fibers
- Fragrances
- Fluorescent reagents
- Glasses
- Pharmaceuticals
- Semiconductor manufacture
- Petrochemicals, plastics, polymers, and fuels.
We combine substantial industry experience with years of protecting and enforcing our clients’ rights in these areas to provide a full spectrum of representation and client counseling. Kolisch Hartwell represents a wide range of clients in the chemical and materials science industries, from entrepreneurial ventures to multinational corporations to leading universities and research organizations.