About Us

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When you work with Spectrum, you'll be working with David Kohn.  David is an experienced patent attorney who has worked with patent applications relating to software, hardware, medical devices, mechanical technologies, biotechnology, electromagnetic power transmission, and renewable energy.  David is also a veteran of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where he examined patent applications in cryptography and computer security.

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Additionally, David counsels clients on trade secret law, and has done work drafting non-disclosure agreements which help reinforce intellectual property protections.  David also works with clients on their copyright and trademark filings.

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David is a graduate of of Northwestern University School of Law, and has become licensed to practice law in Michigan and Illinois.  David is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  David's undergraduate and graduate experience included research and study of nanotechnology, quantum mechanics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, neurobiology, and analysis of electrical signals, and he holds a master's degree in electromagnetic engineering.

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Much of David's work over the years has focused on helping inventors, designers, and young startup companies gain patent protection as a first step toward further growing their businesses. 

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David, of all your experiences, what would you say has been the most valuable?

 

Being a patent examiner at the U.S.P.T.O. was an experience that there's really no substitute for.  There are so many tips and tricks that I've picked up about what examiners are looking for - it's really valuable to have behind-the-scenes insights like that when you're writing patent applications.  You need the examiner's permission to get a patent, right?  It's important to know about the little things and medium things that they like to see and don't like to see.

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Also, now that I'm on the outside, my examiner interviews go smoothly because I did so many of them from the other side when I was an examiner myself.

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Why work with small inventors and startups?

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Well, it's what I'm used to!  Before I moved to Michigan, I did patent prosecution in Chicago, and most of my clients were either individual inventors or people who were looking to build a business around their idea.  I also find people get really, really passionate about their ideas.  It's great to be a part of that, and it's important for smaller interests to know that they have options when they're looking for someone who can help them apply for patent protection.

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How come you only charge flat rates?

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It makes things easier for everyone.  Clients don't need to worry about a project running over and the bill going through the roof, and it's better on my end too, because I know how much each project will be ahead of time.

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What are the risks of skipping intellectual property protection?

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Inventing new things is hard, and copying them is easy - it's just the way the world works.  It's too easy to rip off people who haven't legally protected the inventions that they came up with. 

 

But, of course, that's why IP law exists in the first place.  It gives inventors, creators, and business owners a good shot at protection - if they file for a patent, copyright, or trademark before anyone else does.

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What's the easiest way to get in touch with you?

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The contact page is right here.

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Thanks!

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Any time.