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Francis is of counsel in the intellectual property section of the business law department. He has been engaged in all aspects of intellectual property matters for over forty years, including patent and trademark infringement litigation; preparing and filing of patent, trademark, and copyright applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in the U.S. Copyright Office; patent, trademark, and copyright licensing; and advising clients on infringement and validity issues. Francis is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He was formerly a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent Office.
Representative Matters
Stopped multiple copyright infringements by Chinese supplier and U.S. distributor of furniture items and obtained compensation for client for such infringements.
Assisted in successful defense of design patent infringement litigation.
Negotiated complex technology transfer agreement transferring patent, trademark, and technology rights.
Served as Mediator in several successful patent and trademark litigation matters.
Assisted client in concluding license and supply agreement with national telemarketing company.
Publications, Presentations and Awards
North Carolina Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property Law, 2007-2008
Legal Elite, Business North Carolina Magazine, Intellectual Property Law, Patents, 2003-2008
Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Law, 1995-2008
Products Comparison Manual for Trademark Users, BNA Books, 1988; Supplement, 1991
"Plight of the Jepson Claim," The Patent, Trademark and Copyright Journal of Research and Education, Spring 1964; reprinted, Patent and Trademark Institute of Canada, vol. 10, no. 7, June 1964
Professional, Civic and Community Involvement
Professional: American Bar Association, Delegate, House of Delegates, 1997-2000
Carolina Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association, Member
North Carolina Bar Association, Board of Governors, 1986-1989; Intellectual Property Committee, Chair, 1979-1981
North Carolina State Bar, Bar Councilor, 1988-1997
Mecklenburg County Bar, President, 1983-1984
Civic/Community: Charlotte Area Fund, Board of Directors, 1970-1975; Hunger Task Force, 1973-1975; Chair, 1974-1975
Civil Service Commission of Charlotte, 1978-1984; Chair, 1981-1984
Dilworth Rotary Club, Board of Directors, 1971-1973; President, 1974-1975. | 