William (“Bill”) Abbatt, shareholder at the Brooks Kushman patent boutique law firm, will deliver the keynote speech titled “Patent Counsel Can be Entrepreneurs Too” at Automation Alley`s Entrepreneurial Initiative of Southeastern Michigan event (EISEM). The event, part of a series dedicated to assisting local entrepreneurs, is on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at Automation Alley in Troy, Mich.
Abbatt will discuss the strategies, challenges and pitfalls entrepreneurs need to know when bringing a product or technology to market. Specifically, he will discuss the importance of obtaining the appropriate legal protection (patent and trade secret) for inventions, as well as how to find, evaluate and choose the best counsel – legal and otherwise – for entrepreneurs` unique needs.
“My passion is helping inventors and business owners create jobs, make money and gain recognition by the cost-effective, yet aggressive, use of patent law and licensing strategy,” Abbatt said. “I am excited to speak at EISEM, as I enjoy helping our local inventors successfully bring their innovations to market.”
With more than 25 years as a patent counselor, he has extensive hands-on practice in defining and protecting inventions. Abbatt has an affinity for working with small and mid-sized, emerging entities, whose value can be enhanced by effective management of IP. Considered a tough and experienced litigator, he strives to generate beneficial results for his clients through effective patent prosecution and licensing strategies.
EISEM is a series of programs that highlight regional entrepreneurs and help them to further develop their message to reach customers and investors. A cornerstone of EISEM is the Entrepreneurial Forum, a bi-monthly program which features business plan presentations by three emerging technology-driven companies. The short presentations are critiqued by attendees, including venture capitalists, angel investors and business professionals, who provide constructive criticism and guidance.
