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Steven M. Shape

About

Steven Shape is a highly accomplished attorney, partner and the Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice at Omnus Law, with over four decades of experience in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret law, and IP litigation. A Registered Patent Attorney with the USPTO, Steven has been instrumental in shaping IP strategies for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. His expertise spans managing global IP portfolios, resolving complex intellectual property disputes, and negotiating world-wide licensing and technology transfer agreements.  

Throughout his career, Steven has successfully represented clients in high-profile patent and trademark cases before U.S. federal courts, the USPTO, and international tribunals, including proceedings before the International Trade Commission, European and Japanese Patent Offices. He has a track record of achieving favorable outcomes in over 100 Federal Court, Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) actions and mediations. Steven’s ability to navigate the complexities of cutting-edge technologies—such as artificial intelligence, computer software and hardware, block chain, fintech, medical devices, chemical processes, and advanced manufacturing—makes him an invaluable partner for businesses seeking to protect and leverage their innovations.  

Steven has also advised on the intellectual property aspects of mergers and acquisitions, helping companies secure, transfer, and maximize the value of their IP assets. A recognized thought leader in the field, Steven is an accomplished speaker and has published extensively on emerging IP issues, including AI-driven patent strategies and international IP enforcement. His dedication to client success, combined with his legal acumen, has earned him recognition as a trusted advisor and a leading voice in intellectual property law.  

Career Highlights

  • Successfully represented clients in high-stakes patent, trademark and copyright litigation before U.S. and international courts.  
  • Implemented global IP and licensing strategies for Fortune 500 companies and emerging startups.  
  • Secured favorable outcomes in numerous Federal Court, Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) cases.  
  • Advised on IP aspects of major mergers and acquisitions in technology, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing sectors.  

Associations

  • American Intellectual Property Association (AIPLA)  
  • Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (IPLAC)  
  • International Trademark Association (INTA)  

Publications

  • Shape, Steven M. “Defensive Publication or Patent Application: Which Works Best?” Mondaq, October 19, 2022. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. “Utility Patent vs. Design Patent: What Protections Do They Offer?” Mondaq, June 16, 2022. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. “South Africa and Australia Tackle AI Inventorship in Patents.” The Patent Lawyer – CTL Media, September/October 2021, pp. 7-9. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. “Making the Most of Your Patent Drawings.” Mondaq, June July 9, 2021. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. “IP Law Looms Large Over U.S.-China Relations.” Mondaq, February 19, 2021. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. “Regulations and the Surge of Software Patent Applications in the U.S.” Mondaq, September 3, 2020. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. “How AI Tools Will Change Patent Practice.” Mondaq, June 12, 2020. Link 
  • Shape, Steven M. The IP Byte News, November 16, 2013.  Link 

Representative Cases

  • Dynex/Rivett Inc. v. Hampidjan  
    • Confidential settlement for client stopping patent infringement  
  • Kenall Manufacturing Co. v. H.E. Williams, Inc.  
    • Patent infringement settled favorable to client  
  • Ruud Lighting, Inc. v. Elcast Lighting, Inc. 
    • Copyright infringement settled favorably with payment to client  
  • Mosmatic v. Westpak  
    • Patent infringement favorably settled with payment to client 
  • CDW v. Micro Warehouse  
    • Injunction entered in favor of client stopping trademark infringement  
  • C&F Packing Co. v. IBP, Inc.  
    • Injunction entered with payment to client stopping patent infringement 
  • IJR v. Colt  
    • Confidential settlement in favor of client and patent holder  
  • IJR v. Sodick  
    • Confidential settlement in favor of client and patent holder  
  • IJR v. KGK International et al.  
    • Patent Infringement settled favorably with payment to client  

Practice Areas

Intellectual Property LawAI, Technology & CybersecurityCorporate LawCivil Litigation
Sub-practice areas
Patent Law, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Trade Secrets, International IP Protection, USPTO Appeals, Software & Technology, Technology/IP Licensing & Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Technology Contracts & Commercial Transactions, Cybersecurity, Mergers and Acquisitions, Antitrust and AML, Federal Court Litigation & Mediation, Intellectual Property Litigation including Patent, Trademark, Copyright, Trade Secret, Antitrust, Complex Business Claims

Admitted Jurisdictions

  • Illinois
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
  • United States International Trade Commission

Education

  • J.D., DePaul University College of Law, 1982 
  • Certificate of Study, Intellectual Property and International Law, University of Cambridge, 1981 
  • B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1979 

Languages

  • English

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