R. Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson concentrates his practice on patent prosecution, patent infringement analyses, licensing, and client counseling. Mr. Johnson focuses on electrical and software technologies, including semiconductor devices, telecommunications, signal processing, and software for use in multiple disciplines.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Johnson served as an examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he gained his initial exposure in evaluating patent applications. Mr. Johnson also worked three years for a national litigation firm analyzing patents in the context of the national tobacco litigation lawsuits. Mr. Johnson worked for four years as General Counsel for South Carolina’s Division of the Chief Information Officer, where he developed intellectual property licensing agreements and procurement contracts in the fields of telecommunications and data processing.

Mr. Johnson’s patent practice over the last ten years has ranged from drafting and prosecuting single applications for individual inventors to advising corporations in regard to international patent protection. Mr. Johnson has counseled numerous start-up companies regarding intellectual property matters and has managed portfolios for these companies during periods of growth.

Email: rbjohnson@summalaw.com

Admitted

2001, North Carolina
2000, Registered Patent Attorney
1996, South Carolina

Education

University of South Carolina (J.D., 1995)
Duke University (B.S. Electrical Engineering, 1988; J.A. Jones Memorial Scholar)

Association Involvement

Carolina Patent Trademark and Copyright Law Association, Board Member
North Carolina Bar Association

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