The Patents++™ Site

Galvin Patent Law was founded on principles which I take very seriously. I view the law as a vital part of our social and economic commonwealth, and I take my obligations to serve clients zealously completely to heart. I only succeed when you succeed, and my goal is for you to view GPL as a strategic partner in that success. I am passionate about my work, and I am confident that is a good thing. I will always tell you what I think, why I think it, and what your options are -- and I am always open for feedback.

Patents++™

At Galvin Patent Law, I provide much more than basic patent filing services. As a proven innovator and technology strategist, as well as a patent legal practitioner, I provide what I call Patents++™ service. What this means is that I help clients with the entire innovation chain up to and including obtaining patents and building strong patent families. I advise client management teams, and client inventor teams, on technology and innovation strategy, and help set up effective innovation programs. We conduct claimstorming sessions to assist in invention conception and to help align inventive activities with company strategy (and to motivate inventors and accelerate innovation). I generally am so in tune with our clients’ inventive teams that I am able to greatly expand the breadth and completeness of inventions before the patenting process even begins. I also help clients manage their investment spend on IP, carefully crafting IP strategies that deliver the maximum value to the client.

About Software Patents

Many are opposed to software patents, and others sometimes think that software patents are on the way out (they're not).

I disagree. Before I discuss why, it is not primarily because my self-interest is tied to them (although to some extent it is). I entered patent practice late in life after two successful careers in technology precisely because I am convinced that intellectual property is essential to ongoing innovation. There is no essential difference between a (quality) software patent and a patent on an improved carburetor. No one can make cars or planes without getting patent clearance, yet large technology companies use their considerable PR muscle to spin a narrative which suggests that they can't do it when it comes to software.

The Bottom Line: It is simply cheaper for them if they don't have to.

Let's debate, but more productively, let's invent!

About Me

I have been a Patent Agent since early 2002, although I continued in my main career as a technology executive until 2007-2008, when I started a transition to my “third act” – a career in patent law practice.

I have been a CEO of a small technology firm and a CTO at two large public software companies, as well as a chief engineer of a nuclear warship. I have a degree in Biochemistry from Harvard, and a Masters in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

I am an inventor in my own right, with 14 issued patents, one about to issue, and many more pending.

In short, I have walked several miles in my clients' shoes!

More information on my background is available here.