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John Russell is listed within the Top 25 patent prosecution attorneys in Patexia’s Patent Intelligence 2025 report. According to Patexia, this places John among the top 1% in the field. Patexia’s rankings are based on a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of activity and performance.

As one of the firm’s Founding Partners, John’s inclusion showcases the depth of experience and technical knowledge McCoy Russell LLP brings to its patent prosecution and strategy for developing intellectual portfolios.

McCoy Russell congratulates John on his recognition and appreciates his active leadership and guidance at the firm.

While strolling through Ninenzaka in Kyoto, I stumbled upon a wall adorned with intricate “Noh” masks. Traditionally used in classical Japanese performance art, these masks often represent supernatural beings transformed into human heroes who recount stories drawn from ancient literature. On stage, emotions are conveyed through stylized and deliberate gestures—but here, it seemed the artist had captured the spirit of Noh theater in the masks themselves, capturing the same expressive and hyper-stylized energy.

What particularly caught my attention was a small sign next to the artwork: “Pay 100 yen for copyright fee if you take pictures or movies,” accompanied by a slot in one of the masks for depositing coins. It was a clever approach to protecting and monetizing creative expression.

Working in intellectual property law, I appreciated the artist’s initiative. Intellectual property can be monetized in a variety of ways—through licensing agreements, joint ventures, or outright transfers of rights. This was a simple yet effective reminder of the value of creative work and the many forms that IP monetization can take. I was glad to contribute the 100 yen and support their art, while also taking a moment to continue supporting IP systems.

The largest companies in the world are spending hundreds of billions of dollars on AI research.  And while the focus is on jobs and industries that will be replace by AI, many other industries will see huge growth and development.  These industries may be adjacently related to AI either via AI’s support or AI’s dependence on these fields.  Energy, data centers, and room designs are all fields that may be less obvious when considering AI advancement, but could be the crux to its success.

In order for AI to operate, large data centers are needed.  These data centers consume enormous amounts of power to operate AI.  It is currently estimated that AI will consume 20% of global energy demand by 2030.  Thus, advancements in energy, such as wind, solar, and nuclear, could see a big rise in the years to come.  Additionally, the design and/or layout of a room to optimize a layout of a data center may be paramount to increasing functionality and safety while reducing costs.  On a smaller scale, room designs in a home or work place for AI to operate more efficiently, accurately, and safely while meeting aesthetic benchmarks may be desired.  Cybersecurity, energy consumption, and cooling are all fields that will advance with data centers during this AI boom as data has become the lifeblood of our modern economy.

Patent law plays a critical role in protecting inventive solutions and ensuring fair competition across diverse fields.  It serves as both a shield and a catalyst in these transformative industries. For room designs, it preserves the uniqueness of creative visions; for data storage centers, it fortifies the backbone of our digital world; and for new power, it underpins the safe and sustainable development of energy solutions.  At McCoy Russell, we have embraced the AI boom and are here to help innovators protect their technologies so they can continue to explore this new frontier. Contact us at [email protected].

McCoy Russell has volunteered to host one of INTA’s North America Roundtables this spring. Taking place Wednesday April 9 from 12 PM – 2 PM, this roundtable centers around Green Branding and Sustainability Claims: Navigating Trademarks in an Eco-Conscious World.

Register at INTA’s event site here – https://members.inta.org/events/event-details/?id=bc278dfe-53de-ef11-95f5-6045bd7a9164&index=39&reload=timezone.

In hosting, it was noted that Portland has generally had very low registrants for recent INTA Roundtables.   Let’s keep supporting these roundtables locally.  We welcome participation from all, new practitioners as well as seasoned practitioners.  Please let all know who may be interested in attending.  We look forward to an engaging discussion.

LexisNexis recently released its “Top 100 Global Innovators” for 2025, the prestigious roster of companies around the world that are driving innovation in the global economy, based on exceptional shifts in patent portfolio quality over the last two years. While the report focused on corporate patent owners, a parallel analysis was done of academic and public research innovators to recognize their achievements as well.

Among those institutions, Broad Institute, Fraunhofer, Harvard, MIT, Stanford University, University of California, and Zhejiang University were recognized for demonstrating exceptional Innovation Momentum, while developing relevant and high-quality patent portfolios.

McCoy Russell congratulates all companies that are recognized for their innovative spirit and the advancements they’ve contributed across a variety of industries.

As mentioned in a previous post, a few technical specialists from McCoy Russell recently attended an open mic night hosted by the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) AI & Data Community. One pitch, in particular, stood out to us, as the presenter offered insights on how to navigate the disruptions to the labor market that generative AI is poised to bring. The speaker emphasized the importance of learning how to use generative AI as a tool to enhance current job performance and leverage that experience for future career opportunities.

At McCoy Russell, we are embracing this approach by integrating AI-powered patent tools developed in-house by IronCrow AI. These tools assist in proofreading patent applications for common errors, refining prosecution strategies using analytics—including 101 rejection and art unit predictions—automating patent-related tasks such as Office action response shell generation, and facilitating document analysis. By leveraging these AI-driven capabilities, we enhance the quality of our applications and responses while maintaining a cutting-edge understanding of AI technologies.

It is no surprise, then, that McCoy Russell has one of the highest allowance rates for applications that have received rejections for allegedly being directed to an abstract idea—a significant portion of which are in the AI field. As AI continues to reshape industries, firms that embrace these technologies will be better positioned to serve clients effectively, ensuring that innovation is both protected and strategically advanced.

McCoy Russell Partner Justin Wagner recently presented an online webinar for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) concerning the Duty of Disclosure at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).

In the U.S., the duty of disclosure requires patent applicants and inventors to disclose any information that may be relevant to the patentability of their invention. A key tool for meeting this requirement is the Information Disclosure Statement (IDS). In this recent webinar, Justin examined IDSes and their role in ensuring compliance with USPTO regulations, and covered the duty of disclosure in depth, exploring real-world examples and best practices.

Those in attendance gained a clearer understanding of their disclosure obligations and learned how to navigate the process effectively—ensuring they meet USPTO expectations while avoiding common pitfalls. McCoy Russell understands the benefit of developing a strong IDS practice. The firm routinely files hundreds of IDS submissions each year and continues to refine its process and training in IDS filings.

In the field of intellectual property, understanding a diverse array of technologies is key to helping clients secure meaningful protection for their innovations. As we are all aware, artificial intelligence is currently at the forefront of technological innovations. Accordingly, a few technical specialists from McCoy Russell attended an open mic night hosted by the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) AI & Data Community. It was fun to hear what innovators in Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest are doing to help foster AI development and stay abreast of new developments in AI. However, while listening to some entrepreneurs pitch their AI innovations, we couldn’t help but wonder if they had all thought about how to best protect their ideas. Had they all filed patent applications on their ideas before disclosing them to an audience? Were they aware that even a three-minute pitch to a small audience during a networking event constituted a public disclosure?

Securing intellectual property protection is crucial for any innovation, especially in rapidly evolving fields like artificial intelligence. Without proper safeguards, entrepreneurs risk losing their ability to patent their ideas, potentially leaving their breakthroughs vulnerable to competitors. A well-timed patent application can be the difference between maintaining a competitive edge and losing out on the benefits of one’s own ingenuity.

For those navigating the complexities of intellectual property protection, seeking guidance from experienced IP professionals is invaluable. If you’re unsure whether a disclosure—whether in a pitch, a white paper, or even a casual conversation—could impact your ability to secure a patent, consulting with knowledgeable counsel beforehand can help prevent costly mistakes. At McCoy Russell, we are committed to helping innovators safeguard their technologies so they can continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

In honor of the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, “For ALL Women and Girls — Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” McCoy Russell remains committed to expanding access to opportunities within the intellectual property (IP) system through education and advocacy. The firm actively volunteers at events that provide IP legal resources to women business owners as well as events which foster connections among women in IP law and technology, strengthening collective efforts toward greater community support.

Women’s Day is a great time to celebrate pioneering women in innovation.  Innovation comes from all fields and sometimes is not recognized.  We hope these quick notes encourage you to go explore more about about these amazing women and find your own innovations:

Alice H. Parker revolutionized home heating by patenting a central heating system that utilized natural gas, laying the foundation for modern HVAC technology.

Stephanie Kwolek’s groundbreaking discovery of Kevlar stemmed from her “happy coincidence” in polymer research at DuPont company, leading to the creation of the super fiber now used in countless applications.

Ann Tsukamoto’s advancements in stem cell research in the early 1990s resulted in 13 patents including a method of isolating stem cells, contributing to life-saving medical treatments.

Ruth Graves Wakefield, co-owner of the Toll House Inn, sold her iconic chocolate chip cookie recipe to Nestlé for supposedly $1, securing a consulting role for the company in the 1930s and a lifetime supply of chocolate in the process.