Peter S. Weissman

Biography

Peter Weissman concentrates his practice in patent litigation in the federal courts and prosecution before patent offices in the U.S. and abroad, primarily in the areas of the Internet, software, blockchain, biomedical, information technology, RFID technology, telecommunications, and the electrical and mechanical arts. He counsels clients in a wide range of intellectual property matters including:

  • Patent procurement and strategies for start-up and established companies
  • Patent portfolio management
  • Prosecuting and defending patent infringement actions before U.S. district courts
  • Due diligence investigations to assess the strengths and weaknesses of company intellectual property during a transfer of ownership, funding, and other transitional phases
  • University technology transfer, licensing, and due diligence investigating
  • Trademark procurement, licensing and portfolio management, and strategies for start-up and established companies
  • Recordal of insignia pursuant to the fastener quality act (FQA)
  • Trade secret protection
  • Copyright procurement
  • Design patent protection and litigation

In addition, Peter works closely with startup companies to identify and protect their important innovations in the U.S. and abroad.  Peter helped one such company build a robust patent portfolio that was critical to procure funding and eventually resulted in the sale of that company for $550M.  He is also currently working with other startups to build value and secure funding needed for company growth. 

Prior to joining Blank Rome, Peter served as a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Speaking Engagements and Publications

  • Speaker, Protecting Your Ideas and Brands with Patents and Trademarks, Nov. 2023, Shenandoah University, Institute for Entrepreneurship.
  • Speaker, GW BizPlanComp Workshop: Preparing to Win – What to Do Now!, GW Office of Entrepreneurship, 2011–present.
  • Speaker, Preparing for the Exit, Early Stage East Conference, December 2010.
  • Panel Member, Effectively Negotiating with a Venture Capitalist, Early Stage East Conference, December 2010.
  • Speaker, Trademarks and Copyrights for Startup Companies, National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2) Webinar, April 24, 2008.
  • Speaker, Issues for Budding Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, The George Washington University School of Business, 2008-2013.
  • Master of Ceremonies, The George Washington University Award for Distinguished Entrepreneurial Achievement, October 2007 and October 2008.
  • Speaker, East Asia Symposium: Hong Kong – Gateway to Opportunity, Philadelphia University School of Business Administration, March 2007.
  • Speaker, Patent Issues for Start-Ups, from Lab to IPO: The University Start-Up, The George Washington University, February 2006.
  • Speaker, Patent and Trademark Issues for Companies Engaged in Foreign Business, Russian Science & Technology Opportunities for U.S. Companies, sponsored by Pennsylvania Russian Business Council, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, June 20, 2001 and Wilmington, DE, October 11, 2001.
  • Speaker, Intellectual Property Protection for Emerging Businesses, June 23, 1999.
  • Author, Computer Software as Patentable Subject Matter:  Contrasting United States, Japanese and European Laws, 23 AIPLA QJ 525, No. 3 (Summer 1995).
  • Author, Is Your FQA Insignia Still Active ???, Fastener World, Vol. 56, pp.188-191 (May/June 1999); Distributor’s Insignia No Longer Satisfies FQA!!!, Fastener World, Vol.  59, No.  6, pp.  230-33, (Nov./Dec. 1999).
  • Speaker, Intellectual Property 101, Northern Virginia Community College, 2013.

Outside the Firm

Rotary Member, 2022

Experience

  • Prevailed on summary judgment through appeal to dismiss six patents, trade dress, and unfair competition claims for a promotional vehicle, and on a Daubert motion to dismiss trade dress expert.
  • Counseled numerous startup and emerging companies to protect their IP and to manage risk to sustain growth and achieve investment opportunities.
  • Prepared and prosecuted a software technology patent for an entrepreneurial client that was sold to a much larger company for $500,000.
  • IP counsel to global manufacturer with a large international portfolio of electrical connectors and sensors for communications, industrial, medical, and military markets.
  • Due diligence of patent portfolio having hundreds of patent families filed internationally and correction of complex ownership issues
  • Complex patent infringement litigation involving telephone billing systems against major telephone and Fortune 500 companies.
  • Represented patent holder in patent infringement matter involving method for sterilizing alcohol which resulted in favorable verdict for client.
  • Defeated non-practicing entity alleging infringement of software that filters spam e-mail.
  • IP due diligence investigation for multi-million dollar acquisition of healthcare technology.

Recognitions

  • 2017–2019, 2022, listed in Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Association of University Technology Managers
  • Federal Circuit Bar Association, Pro Bono Program
Professional Activities

Actively involved in pro bono work, Peter is a co-founder of The George Washington University Entrepreneurs RoundTable, which is an interdisciplinary organization that brings faculty and staff, students, alumni, and university administration together to advance entrepreneurship and showcase university technologies. Peter has also served on the Board of Directors for The George Washington Alumni Association. In addition, Peter has represented foster parents in the adoption of special-needs children through contested trials at the D.C. Superior Court, and has represented a client in a disability claim before the U.S. Social Security Administration. In recognition of his commitment to pro bono service, he was named to the 2017 and 2018 Capital Pro Bono Honor Rolls.

Credentials

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Virginia

Education

  • State University of New York at Stony Brook, BS
  • George Washington University Law School, JD