Partner
Brent P.
Johnson
Legal Assistant
Brent P. Johnson is a patent attorney with 28 years of experience in a wide range of intellectual property matters. Brent currently manages a diverse range of patent and trademark portfolios for clients in the US and worldwide. Brent’s general experience includes the preparation and prosecution of hundreds of patent and trademark applications in the US and abroad. Brent has also represented clients in numerous intellectual property litigation matters. Brent’s broad range of experience enables him to manage intellectual property portfolios for clients in many different technical disciplines; also enabling Brent to be a sole source legal provider for client needs in all aspects of intellectual property.
Brent received his JD from the University of Denver in 1994. Prior to becoming a registered patent attorney the same year, Brent was a registered patent agent in the US Patent and Trademark office in 1992. Brent received his B.S. degree from the United States Military Academy in 1984. Brent served five years active duty in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and subsequent years in the US Army Reserve. Brent was also employed as an engineer for Merk Pharmaceuticals for three years after his active Army service.
Brent enjoys spending his free time with his family and the outdoors.
Experience
Patent & Trademark Filings
Brent regularly advises clients on patent and trademark filing strategies, transfer of domestic and international patent and trademark rights, licensing, freedom to operate, non-infringement and invalidity opinions. Brent also advises clients on many forms of dispute resolution including both litigation and alternative forms such as arbitration and mediation.
Technical Background
Brent has specific technological experience in the mechanical, electrical, and computer-related fields. Prior to his legal career Brent was an engineer that provides him industry experience in addition to his legal background. Brent has advised many startup companies, providing valuable legal services to ensure the successful development and maintenance of intellectual property rights.
Litigation
Brent’s specific experience in litigation includes the enforcement and defense of all intellectual property rights including patent, trademark and trade secrets. Brent has represented clients in many cases in the US District Court of Colorado and other jurisdictions.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
JURIS DOCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER COLLEGE OF LAW, 1994
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY, 1984
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
1992
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Colorado
1994
Professional Associations
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Presentations
Numerous Continuing Legal Education programs including a most recent “Pitfalls in Claim.”
7th Annual Rocky Mountain Intellectual Property & Technology Institute; May 2009
Representation
The Kong Company, LLC v. Worldwise, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (D. Colo.) — Counsel for plaintiff in action for infringement of trade dress and trademark KONG and unfair competition for animal toys.
Metropolitan Homes, Inc. v. Metropolitan Homes Real Estate, Inc. (D. Colo.) — Counsel for plaintiff in action for infringement of trademark METROPOLITAN HOMES.
Stampoultzis v. KVP International, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.) — Counsel for defendant in action for infringement of patent directed to protective animal collar.
Judith G. Lippincott v. Bounce, Inc. (S.D. Cal.) — Counsel for defendant in action for infringement of patent directed to animal protective device.
The Kong Company, LLC v. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. (D. Colo.) — Counsel for plaintiff in action for infringement of product configuration trademark and and unfair competition for animal toys.
The Kong Company, LLC v. Hallmark K9. (D. Colo.) — Counsel for plaintiff in action for infringement of product configuration trademark and and unfair competition for animal toys.
The Kong Company, LLC v. Triple Crown Dog Academy, Inc. (D. Colo.) — Counsel for plaintiff in action for infringement of patent covering animal toys.
Brent’s Blog
Client Alert: Summary of New Coronavirus Relief Bill
Authors: Kathleen Alt and Aisha I. May In March 2020, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law in order to provide both individuals and businesses with relief. On December 21, 2020, Congress approved the second...
Client Alert: Energize Colorado Gap Fund
As of August 31, 2020, Colorado small businesses and non-profit with fewer than 25 full time employees can apply for grants and low interest loans from the state. The Colorado General Assembly designated certain funds the state received from the CARES Act to go...
Do’s and Don’ts: Operating Agreements
Limited liability companies have many appealing qualities. Not least among them is flexibility regarding how governance, economic returns, allocations of profits and losses, and distributions can be structured. Subject to certain well-established rules,...
In the News
Merritt Named Co-Chair of the Firm’s Trusts, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice
Shelly Merritt, a partner at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, has been named the co-chair of the Firm's Trust, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice. Merritt has over thirty years of experience representing individuals, families, closely-held businesses, executives, and...
BHGR Introduces the Women’s Leadership Committee
Just in time for Women's History Month, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP formed and formally introduced the BHGR Women's Leadership Committee. The Women's Leadership Committee is comprised of sixteen female attorneys and was established to recognize and cultivate a...
BHGR Partnership Expands with 2023 Elections
The Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti partnership gathered at our Boulder office on January 31, 2023. In that meeting, attorneys Geoff Williamson and Benjamin Wilson were elected Equity Partners, and Elizabeth Froehlke and DJ Goldfarb were elected Non-Equity Partners,...
Firm Happenings
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency On September 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1162 ("SB 1162"), expanding California's data reporting requirements under Government...
Client Alert: What Employers Must Convey Upon Employee Termination or Separation
Colorado's most recent legislative session, concluding in early May, pushed through several new employment-related laws that concern employers and employees alike. Senate Bill (SB) 22-234 should be of particular interest to employers, as it requires employers to...
Client Alert: Colorado Places New Restrictions on Non-Compete Agreements Between Employers and their Employees
Colorado has long disfavored non-compete agreements within the state. Historically, under C.R.S. § 8-2-113, restrictive covenants were void and unenforceable except for under specific circumstances, including: the purchase and sale of a business or the assets of a...