John focuses his practice on foreign and domestic patent and trademark procurement, client management, technology licensing, and litigation strategies in a variety of technology areas, including mechanical, electromechanical, acoustics, and software. John also advises clients in all other aspects of intellectual property law, including due diligence, portfolio acquisition, and clearance opinions. John has successfully litigated trademark, patent, trade secret and unfair business competition issues in various courts. Most recently, he secured summary judgment of non-infringement on behalf of a small manufacturing company against a Fortune 100 company involving a patent directed to control system software.
In addition to currently serving on COJK’s Executive Committee, John is also the Litigation Group leader. Prior to becoming an attorney, John worked for 10 years as a research engineer in the aerospace and aircraft industry.
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Seattle University School of Law, 1995
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1986
Professional Experience
- Christensen O’Connor Johnson KindnessPLLC, Seattle, WA
- Washington Attorney General’s Office, Antitrust Division, Seattle, WA
Law Clerk, Summer 1995
Technical Experience
- Senior Specialist Engineer, The Boeing Company, 1991 to 1997
- Structural Engineer, General Dynamics Corporation, 1988 to 1991
- Associate Engineer, Grumman Corporation, 1986 to 1988
Bar & Court Admissions
- Washington State Bar
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Asian Bar Association of Washington
- Intellectual Property Owners Association
- King County Bar Association
- Washington State Patent Law Association
Representative Litigation
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. et al. v. Seattle Safety, LLC
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended Seattle Safety, LLC in a suit for breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition and patent infringement related to crash test sleds. Obtained summary judgment on damages and non-infringement. Case settled thereafter on favorable terms.
Wonder Works and Wonder Workshops, Inc. v. Cranium, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Defended Cranium, Inc. in a suit for trademark infringement, unfair competition and other causes of action. Obtained favorable settlement.
Eazypower Corporation v. Jore Corporation
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Defending Jore Corporation in a patent infringement and patent mismarking case related to flexible extensions for powered screwdrivers.
Majestic Mirrors & Frame, LLC v. Electric Mirror, LLC
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Defending Electric Mirror, LLC in a declaratory judgment case for patent invalidity and unenforceability related to a design patent for lighted mirrors.
QSC Holdings, Inc. et al. v. Eastern Acoustic Works, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Defending Eastern Acoustic Works in patent case related to high frequency acoustic speakers.
Uniloc USA, Inc et al. v. Engrasp, Inc. et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Defending Seagull Scientific, Inc. in a multi-defendant patent case related to a system for software registration.
Elen IP LLC v. ArvinMeritor et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defending Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems, WABCO Holdings Inc. and Walker Group Holdings LLC in a multi-defendant patent case related to a system and method for warning of a tip-over condition in a tractor trailer or tanker.
Gibson Guitar v. U.S. Band & Orchestra et al.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Defending St. Louis Music, Inc. in a suit for trademark infringement, trademark counterfeiting, contributory trademark infringement, false designation, unfair competition, trade dress infringement, and other causes of action.