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
Offer Letters: The Importance of Doing Them Right
When hiring employees, it is important for employers to know what type of relationship they are getting into. And to do that, it is important to understand the difference between an at-will and contract employee. At-Will vs. Contract Employment Colorado is...
COVID-19 State Orders
As the nation continues to see more issued orders, employers need to stay appraised of whether they are essential or non-essential in the states in which they operate.California Colorado Delaware Hawaii Illinois Indiana Louisana Michigan Minnesota...
UPDATED: COVID-19 IRS Tax Filing Relief: 90-Day Automatic Extension
On Saturday March 21, 2020, the Treasury Department and IRS issued Notice 2020-18, which extended the filing deadline for federal income taxes to July 15, 2020. This extension for filing is also automatic and taxpayers need not have to file for an extension on their...
In the News
Managing Partner Named One of BizWest’s Top 50 Most Influential Business Leaders
BizWest announced today, Thursday, January 5, 2023, their Top 50 Most-Influential Business Leaders. Among the list for the second consecutive year is Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti's founding and managing partner, Giovanni Ruscitti. Giovanni Ruscitti, Founding and...
Berg and Ruscitti Recognized as Iconic Leaders
BizWest Media is in the midst of celebrating 40 years of covering business news in Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado. As part of this momentous anniversary, the publication recognized 40 iconic leaders who inspired the region's development. Among the 40 are two of...
Firm Statement: “BHGR Stands in Solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community…”
Our Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP (BHGR) team was devastated to learn of the shooting and the tragic deaths in Colorado Springs at Club Q on November 20, 2022, the recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance. BHGR stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community in...
Firm Happenings
Client Alert: Colorado – New Criminal Penalties for Employer’s Use of Illegal Non-Compete Agreements
Buried within recent legislation passed by the Colorado General Assembly lies a provision that will likely materially alter the relationship between employers and their employees. Colorado has long disfavored the restrictive covenants utilized by employers to curtail...
OSHA COVID Emergency Temporary Standard for Employers
In early September, the White House directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop and issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) mandating that employers with 100 or more employees require employees to be fully vaccinated or submit to...
Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Issues Vaccine Mandate Guidance for Federal Contractors
As a follow up to President Biden’s Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, (Order) the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (TASK Force) has issued its guidance (Guidance) in an effort to implement a science-based plan...