New Competition Offers $10,000 in Legal Services

From Left: Kevin McGrath and Cathy Stadecker, intellectual property attorneys at Downs Rachlin Martin. Photos: DRM

Downs Rachlin Martin (DRM), a law firm with five offices in Lebanon and Vermont, are launching a new patent competition for startups and early stage companies. The winner of the competition will receive up to $10,000 in legal services to prepare and file a utility patent application. DRM will also pay for the associated US Patent Office filing fees.

The patent competition will be kicked off by a free, public seminar covering best practices for patent and trademark protection and answering any questions about the competition. The seminar is planned for 4-6 p.m. on July 20 at the firm’s office at 67 Etna Road in Lebanon.

The seminar will cover the costs and benefits of patenting, best practices for obtaining patents and assessing competitor patents and what trademarks can and cannot do for a business. The program will be presented by Kevin McGrath and Cathy Stadecker, intellectual property attorneys from the firm's office in Burlington, Vt.

“The patent competition makes it fun and the free legal services will really help a start-up business, but all new and emerging businesses should know more about protecting their unique assets,” says Stadecker. “The information that will be provided about intellectual property rights is the real prize for our attendees.”