Patrick Cummins

With a passion for safeguarding intellectual property, I collaborate closely with individuals and businesses to craft robust strategies for protection and enforcement. My track record includes successfully securing monetary damages from unscrupulous entities and diligently prosecuting infringers at every recovery stage—from issuing initial demand letters to engaging in federal litigation. I have also personally drafted 300+ patent applications related to various technologies including computer hardware, software, various mechanical devices, and some chemical-related products.

My technical acumen, grounded in a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, empowers me to navigate the complexities of various technologies often at the heart of cases. This technical foundation is complemented by my extensive experience in addressing unfair competition matters, with a particular focus on issues emanating from the Lanham Act, such as false advertising and false association.

I am committed to providing legal representation on a contingency basis for certain clients who may lack the resources to redress significant injustices or who represent underserved communities. Feel free to reach out with any inquiries or concerns. I am available for preliminary discussions via phone, video, or in-person meetings over coffee if you are in the vicinity. Thank you for considering my services, and I wish you the best in your pursuit of justice.

University of Dayton School of Law

J.D. (2012) | Law

2009 - 2012

Honors: CALI Awards for Final Class Grades

University of Louisville

M.S. (2009) | Electrical Engineering

2005 - 2009

Honors: Academic Honors

University of Louisville

B.S. (2008) | Electrical Engineering

2002 - 2009

Honors: Academic Honors

Intellectual Property Attorney / Owner

Cummins Intellectual Property (IP) Law PLLC

2019 - Current

- Enforcing various intellectual property rights through Federal litigation involving issues such as Patents, Trademarks, Unfair Competition, Copyright Infringement, among other issues - Recovering from intellectual property infringers through efficient and effective litigation - Sending cease and desist letters, negotiating settlements, and finally initiating litigation when necessary - Occasionally representing on contingency to assist underserved small and medium-sized clients - Drafting and prosecuting patent applications (300+) for a variety of clients, including those specializing in IoT devices, consumer health products and devices, automated assistants, machine learning, wearable devices, among other subject matter - Advising on a variety of other intellectual property and legal issues

Intellectual Property Attorney

Middleton Reutlinger

2016 - 2019

- Drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, edge computing, automated assistants, image processing, user interfaces, IoT devices, power management circuits/devices, search applications, vehicle control systems, semiconductor fabrication, medical devices, training equipment, wearable devices, health management systems, among other subject matter - Managing dockets for foreign and domestic companies, including some of the largest hardware/software companies in the world - Providing opinions on matters related to patent litigation and inter partes review - Conducting mining sessions with clients/inventors to help expand the variety of embodiments available for inclusion in various patent filings - Training associates and interns in patent drafting, patent prosecution, MPEP topics, examiner interaction, claim drafting, among other areas of patent prosecution

Intellectual Property Attorney

Downey Brand

2015 - 2016

- Drafted, for one of the largest computer and software companies in the world, patent applications that included subject matter related to software, hardware, signal processing, power management, semiconductor substrates, networking, content licenses, payment systems, manufacturing, control systems, device testing, display circuits, encryption, wireless communications, various circuit components, and various other subject matter - Attended and conducted dozens of invention disclosure meetings with many inventors from a large computer/software company, which involved preparing questions in advance and brainstorming invention modifications that might be worth discussing - Managed electrical and computer related dockets for the law firm by meeting deadlines, coordinating with other associates, and creating quality work product

Intellectual Property Attorney

Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice

2014 - 2015

- Personally led client through multiple in-person interviews at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Virginia, which resulted the allowance of multiple patent applications - Performed many of the duties described above with respect to Downey Brand (see above), as I transitioned from Womble Carlyle to continue working with a partner who left Womble Carlyle to join Downey Brand

Patent Examiner in Electrical Arts

United States Patent and Trademark Office

2012 - 2014

- Examined patents submitted by domestic and international inventors, and interviewed many attorneys to help make progress with their patent filings - Primary area of search and prosecution was control systems, which acted as a default area for many patent applications related to control circuits, device manufacturing, artificial intelligence, IOT devices, and power systems - Performed prior art searches and wrote office actions related to computer and electrical patent applications - Used a variety of software tools available at the USPTO to perform prior art searching and docketing tasks, such as tracking my production to help me meet or exceed my quarterly quotas

Washington State Bar Association  # 61134

Member

2023 - Current

State Bar of California  # 294400

Member

2013 - Current

California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 294400

Since 2013

Washington

Washington State Bar Association

ID Number: 61134

Since 2023

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees

• Unfair Competition
• Copyright Infringement

Q. If i made a shirt with a name on it that is now a trademark, can I be reported for copyright?

November 13, 2024

A: If the copyright infringement allegation is directed to the picture of the longhorn, and you captured the image of the longhorn or you drew it yourself, you are likely not at fault. If someone else drew the image of the longhorn, or captured the image of the longhorn with their camera, then you may be at fault.

If they are accusing you of trademark infringement because of the name Zach Bryan, that may also be a legitimate complaint if you did not have permission to use the trademark "Zach Bryan".

Likely the easiest solution is to just remove that image of your daughter from Facebook. It happens quite a bit and is likely not worth your time fighting.

I hope this helps.

Q. I am forwarding this note from my 96 year old Father :

October 12, 2023

A: Thanks for sending your question. Please reach out to me if you are still looking for assistance. As a copyright owner, your grandfather may have a cause of action for this injustice.

Q. Industrial Distributors Uline & Global Industrial sold my product for 10 yrs and then as sales grew knocked it off .

October 12, 2023

A: You may still have recourse if the infringement occurred during the lifetime of the patent. I could provide a more substantive answer if you can provide some additional details. Please feel free to reach out to me here or through my website CumminsIP.com. Thank you!