Mark D. Sweet

Partner

Mark Sweet focuses his practice on portfolio analysis, due diligence investigations, interference proceedings, reissue and reexamination proceedings, preparing patentability, validity and infringement opinions, and client counseling. The technical subject matter of his work is diverse and involves chemical subject matter such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, polymers, and industrial coatings and films. Also included in his diverse subject matter are technologies related to alternative energy and renewable resources such as photovoltaics, renewable feedstocks, and bioplastics.

Mr. Sweet is a registered patent attorney with extensive experience handling procurement matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including patent application drafting and prosecution, conducting examiner interviews, filing appeals to and presenting oral arguments before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the USPTO, interference proceedings, and reissue and reexamination proceedings.

Mr. Sweet is a frequent lecturer at legal and corporate seminars on a variety of intellectual property topics, including patent procurement and opinion writing techniques, and changes to U.S. Patent laws and procedures, such as the provisions of the America Invents Act. He regularly presents courses on "Chemical Patent Practice" and "Patent Bar Review" for the Patent Resources Group.

Highlights

• Served as primary examiner at the USPTO, where he handled polymer-based technologies, 1995-1998; and patent examiner, 1988-1994.
• Adjunct professor at the George Mason University School of Law.