We’ve done one thing since 1865, and we do it better than anyone else: we protect innovation. Intellectual property is more than forms and court dates. Our work begins while your idea is still developing. We help you identify what is new and valuable in your work and how that can be protected, and we help you steer clear of pitfalls. Once we procure intellectual property rights for your ideas, we handle licensing and help guide you through the next phase of IP ownership. We will also enforce your IP rights and defend you against claims of infringement when necessary.
WHAT WE DO
In 1865, returning Civil War Colonel Thomas Sprague founded the first patent practice in Michigan. In 1891, the successors of that practice helped found the Detroit College of Law, predecessor to the Michigan State University College of Law. So began our long history as academic thought leaders in intellectual property law.
History of Reising Ethington
In 1865, returning Civil War Colonel Thomas Sprague founded the first patent practice in Michigan. In 1891, the successors of that practice helped found the Detroit College of Law, predecessor to the Michigan State University College of Law. So began our long history as academic thought leaders in intellectual property law. In 1913, our members cofounded the Michigan Patent Law Association, known today as the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA).
Our firm was there for the advent of the automotive industry and the rise of mass production, and we took part in many of their most pivotal moments. Some of the pioneers we worked with include:
Elijah J. McCoy—19th-century African-American inventor whose widely sought-after method for lubricating train engines is the origin of the phrase “the real McCoy.” The Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional USPTO is also named for him.
Ransom E. Olds—Designer of the first commercially successful mass-produced automobile and namesake to the Oldsmobile brand.
David D. Buick—Inventor of the seminal overhead valve engine and founder of the Buick Motor Company.
Michael J. Owens—Manufacturing pioneer who invented an automated way to make glass bottles.
We are proud to still represent some of the namesakes and successors of these luminaries and to help carry on the tradition of bold innovation that they began.
Our firm was there for the advent of the automotive industry and the rise of mass production, and we took part in many of their most pivotal moments. Some of the pioneers we worked with include:
Elijah J. McCoy—19th-century African-American inventor whose widely sought-after method for lubricating train engines is the origin of the phrase “the real McCoy.” The Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional USPTO is also named for him.
Ransom E. Olds—Designer of the first commercially successful mass-produced automobile and namesake to the Oldsmobile brand.
David D. Buick—Inventor of the seminal overhead valve engine and founder of the Buick Motor Company.
Michael J. Owens—Manufacturing pioneer who invented an automated way to make glass bottles.
We are proud to still represent some of the namesakes and successors of these luminaries and to help carry on the tradition of bold innovation that they began.
EDUCATORS
& AUTHORS
& AUTHORS
We are not only lawyers—we are thought leaders.
Our attorneys have taught IP law at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the Ave Maria School of Law. Our firm also helped found the Detroit College of Law, now the Michigan State University College of Law.
Our attorneys have taught IP law at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the Ave Maria School of Law. Our firm also helped found the Detroit College of Law, now the Michigan State University College of Law.
Educators & Authors
We are not only lawyers—we are thought leaders.
Our attorneys have taught IP law at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the Ave Maria School of Law. Our firm also helped found the Detroit College of Law, now the Michigan State University College of Law.
Our attorneys have for decades authored "Cases and Materials on Patent Law: Including Trade Secrets, Copyrights, Trademarks," part of the American Casebook series and an essential textbook for patent law in accredited law schools across the U.S.
We continue to shape the profession by regularly publishing articles and speaking at conferences about IP topics. You can read our latest publications in our What’s New section.
Our attorneys have taught IP law at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the Ave Maria School of Law. Our firm also helped found the Detroit College of Law, now the Michigan State University College of Law.
Our attorneys have for decades authored "Cases and Materials on Patent Law: Including Trade Secrets, Copyrights, Trademarks," part of the American Casebook series and an essential textbook for patent law in accredited law schools across the U.S.
We continue to shape the profession by regularly publishing articles and speaking at conferences about IP topics. You can read our latest publications in our What’s New section.
PATENTS
We are experts in every aspect of the patent application process, from the initial concept of the invention to the payment of the issue fee. Through decades of experience in innumerable technologies and scientific disciplines, we are ready for virtually any invention that comes across our desk.
Patents
We are experts in every aspect of the patent application process, from the initial concept of the invention to the payment of the issue fee. Through decades of experience in innumerable technologies and scientific disciplines, we are ready for virtually any invention that comes across our desk. Our patent services include:
- Analyzing whether an idea is patentable
- Investigating infringement and validity of patents
- Preparing patent applications and advocating for inventors at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- Appeals to the Patent and Trial Appeal Board (PTAB) of the USPTO
- Drafting agreements for licensing, joint development, and confidentiality
- Reissues, reexaminations, and post-grant review proceedings
- Initiating and resolving patent litigation
- Analyzing whether an idea is patentable
- Investigating infringement and validity of patents
- Preparing patent applications and advocating for inventors at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- Appeals to the Patent and Trial Appeal Board (PTAB) of the USPTO
- Drafting agreements for licensing, joint development, and confidentiality
- Reissues, reexaminations, and post-grant review proceedings
- Initiating and resolving patent litigation
EDUCATORS
& AUTHORS
& AUTHORS
Our attorneys have taught IP law at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and the Ave Maria School of Law. Our firm also helped found the Detroit College of Law, now the Michigan State University College of Law.
PATENTS
We are experts in every aspect of the patent application process, from the initial concept of the invention to the payment of the issue fee. Through decades of experience in innumerable technologies and scientific disciplines, we are ready for virtually any invention that comes across our desk.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
The appearance of a product is often as integral to its success as its function. We are experts at procuring and enforcing design patents in the U.S., whether those rights stem from a regular design application or an international design application under the Hague Agreement. We have obtained design protection for products as diverse as automotive replacement parts, bottles, jewelry, and furniture.
TRADEMARKS
We understand that trademarks are crucial to a company’s identity and a primary way to communicate value to your audience. Though first use of a trademark usually confers ownership, it will not empower you to defend it—and trademarks should never be taken for granted.
TRADE SECRETS
A trade secret is knowledge that has value to you because no other company has it. Trade secrets can have a perpetual term, but there is an ever-present risk that a competitor may independently develop, patent, and use your trade secret. We help clients identify trade secret subject matter, advise clients on safekeeping of trade secret information, and enforce trade secret misappropriation cases.
COPYRIGHTS
Ownership of an original work is automatically conferred to its author. But with many creations, the originality of your idea may be challenged and hard to defend. Additionally, preventing and responding to infringements is more difficult if you have not properly registered your idea and communicated your claim to the public.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
The appearance of a product is often as integral to its success as its function. We are experts at procuring and enforcing design patents in the U.S., whether those rights stem from a regular design application or an international design application under the Hague Agreement. We have obtained design protection for products as diverse as automotive replacement parts, bottles, jewelry, and furniture.
TRADEMARKS
We understand that trademarks are crucial to a company’s identity and a primary way to communicate value to your audience. Though first use of a trademark usually confers ownership, it will not empower you to defend it—and trademarks should never be taken for granted.
Trademarks
We understand that trademarks are crucial to a company’s identity and a primary way to communicate value to your audience. Though first use of a trademark usually confers ownership, it will not empower you to defend it—and trademarks should never be taken for granted. We know how to identify and define your trademark assets, and we are seasoned in what it takes to guard them, from applications to litigation. Our trademark services include:
Investigations into availability and clearance
Applying for and obtaining federal trademark registrations
Maintenance of trademark registrations
Recording with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Drafting agreements for licensing, joint use, and consent
Sending and responding to cease-and-desist notices
Asserting, challenging, and resolving trademark litigation
Initiating or defending opposition proceedings with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
Investigations into availability and clearance
Applying for and obtaining federal trademark registrations
Maintenance of trademark registrations
Recording with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Drafting agreements for licensing, joint use, and consent
Sending and responding to cease-and-desist notices
Asserting, challenging, and resolving trademark litigation
Initiating or defending opposition proceedings with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
TRADE SECRETS
A trade secret is knowledge that has value to you because no other company has it. Trade secrets can have a perpetual term, but there is an ever-present risk that a competitor may independently develop, patent, and use your trade secret. We help clients identify trade secret subject matter, advise clients on safekeeping of trade secret information, and enforce trade secret misappropriation cases.
COPYRIGHTS
Ownership of an original work is automatically conferred to its author. But with many creations, the originality of your idea may be challenged and hard to defend. Additionally, preventing and responding to infringements is more difficult if you have not properly registered your idea and communicated your claim to the public. Our attorneys have proven records in defending copyrights. Our copyright services include:
Preparing and filing domestic registrations
Appealing rejected registrations
Copyright licensing
Initiating and resolving copyright litigation
Preparing and filing domestic registrations
Appealing rejected registrations
Copyright licensing
Initiating and resolving copyright litigation
Copyrights
Ownership of an original work is automatically conferred to its author. But with many creations, the originality of your idea may be challenged and hard to defend. Additionally, preventing and responding to infringements is more difficult if you have not properly registered your idea and communicated your claim to the public. Our attorneys have proven records in defending copyrights. Our copyright services include:
Preparing and filing domestic registrations
Appealing rejected registrations
Copyright licensing
Initiating and resolving copyright litigation
Preparing and filing domestic registrations
Appealing rejected registrations
Copyright licensing
Initiating and resolving copyright litigation
ACCOLADES
We’re proud to have attorneys selected year after year to the Michigan Super Lawyers™ list, a ranking of lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
We’re also excited to work with attorneys who have been named “Top Lawyers” by dbusiness® magazine’s annual peer survey of the Detroit metropolitan area.
2016
2015
2013
2012
Industries
Aerospace
Consumer Products & Electronics
Medical Devices
Software
Automotive
Electrical, Computer, & Internet
Robotics
Telecommunications & Wireless
Clean & Green Technologies
Industrial Manufacturing
Semiconductor
Universities
