Timothy J. May
Partner
Timothy May directs his patent practice on a broad range of complex technologies, including automotive safety systems, motors, semiconductors, software, and electronics. He counsels clients in all areas of United States patent practice, ranging from patent procurement to opinion preparation to litigation before U.S. district courts.
Mr. May has written hundreds of patent applications and manages the patent portfolios for several companies, from high-tech startups to those in the Fortune 500. He helps clients evaluate inventions in the context of business objectives and applies his extensive prosecution experience to develop internal patent procurement strategies and procedures for clients.
Mr. May also counsels clients on patent validity and infringement. He has written numerous opinions to defend clients against charges of willful patent infringement, and frequently negotiates directly with opposing counsel over such charges. In addition, he regularly advises clients about infringement risks during the design process and has coordinated clearance studies requiring the evaluation of competitor patents. He is a frequent lecturer on U.S. patent law and has spoken at numerous conferences in Europe.
Highlights
- Represented Robert Bosch GmbH in a patent infringement action against Delphi Corp. concerning vehicle safey technology, resulting in a favorable claim construction ruling and a favorable settlement.
- Managed the patent portfolio of one of the world's leading financial services companies; work includes advising on patent portfolio development and enforcement, and counseling on product clearance issues.
Professional Activities
- Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- Virginia Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- International Bar Association
- International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property
- Association International Des Jeunes Avocats
- Licensing Executives Society—Benelux
Select Publications
- Editor of IP Update: U.S. Intellectual Property News for European Practitioners, 2007-Present.
- "European Patents: Differences from the United States," The Handbook of European Intellectual Property Management, 2007.
- "The Duty of Candor in U.S. Patent Practice—Where It's Going and How to Meet It," The CIPA Journal, June 2006.
- "Amending Claims While Still Obtaining Provisional Rights," The Patent Journal, Dec. 2001.