Melissa A. Anyetei
Biography
Overview
Melissa Anyetei is a member of White & Case's Intellectual Property group. Based out of the Chicago Office, Melissa focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation in federal district courts, before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. She also has experience with § 337 investigations before the US International Trade Commission. With a background in engineering, clients seek out Melissa's advice regarding a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, pharmaceutical and chemical products, consumer products, software systems, cellular and wireless devices, internet and web technology, and industrial machinery.
As a patent attorney registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office, Melissa also advises clients on all aspects of IP procurement and enforcement, including providing strategic advice regarding freedom to operate, patent prosecution and portfolio management.
In addition, clients rely on Melissa's corporate and transactional IP experience, including evaluating, structuring, and managing commercial transactions, such as IP due diligence for stock and asset acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures, and strategic alliances involving US, foreign and multinational corporations.
Experience
Represented:
A global coalition of the 18 largest automobile manufacturers in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. in a patent case involving a novel touch-based technology for determining a driver's blood alcohol level. Won an award of attorneys' fees involving the breach of a court order dealing with the ownership of certain patent rights.*
A medical device manufacturer in a patent litigation case in the District of Delaware involving stent technology.*
A diversified global technology company in a dispute involving sensor-based technology. The litigation resulted in the stipulated dismissal of the opposing party's entire case based on evidence showing the asserted patent to be both invalid and not infringed.*
An international medical device company charged with infringing a patent covering an endoscopic stone- extraction device. The case featured a successful motion to transfer from the Eastern District of Texas, and a Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision invalidating all claims of the patent-in-suit.*
A global optical fiber coating manufacturer in ten inter partes reviews before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.*
A pharmaceutical company in a Hatch-Waxman patent litigation relating to its topical metronidazole gel.*
A leading educational publisher in a complex IP case involving related claims of utility and design patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement and trade dress infringement.*
A global food, agricultural and industrial producer in a patent infringement action before the US International Trade Commission involving glucosamine.*
A global payments technology company in an infringement action involving cryptographic protection of smart cards.*
A $12 billion global manufacturing company on restructuring of its licensing and global royalty program.*
Chicago United, an organization promoting multiracial leadership in business to advance parity in economic opportunity, in their trademark and enforcement matters.*
Other engagements include:
Providing strategic advice regarding licensing, protection of intellectual property, freedom to operate and patent portfolio management including Orange Book listings, reissues, and reexamination.*
Managing a brand pharmaceutical company's extensive patent portfolio relating to a transdermal pharmaceutical product.*
*Matters prior to joining White & Case
"Best Practices for Working with IP Damages Experts Based on an Unprecedented Study of Case Outcomes," Webinar, April 24, 2024
"IP and Ethics: Current Trends and Best Practices," UIC John Marshall Law School's Center for IP, Information and Privacy Law's 11th Annual Ethics in the Practice of IP Seminar, June 05, 2020, Chicago, IL (Speaker)
"Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Leveraging Technology in the Practice of Law," National Association of Women Lawyers' (NAWL) Mid-Year Meeting, March 12, 2020, Chicago, IL (Speaker)
Recognized for intellectual property litigation – The Best Lawyers in America
Named to list "Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting and Law" – Crain's Chicago Business
Named to Nation's Best list – Lawyers of Color
Recognized as a Rising Star in intellectual property – Illinois Super Lawyers
Named an "Influential Woman" and received the "Leadership Excellence in Law" award – Illinois Diversity Council
