Beautiful Ideas Realized
In a data-driven world, successful innovation comes from a deliberative, closely collaborative process. We begin by critically analyzing the state of the art. We remove obstacles, and see problems as opportunities. We plot a course, pose questions in novel ways, and look at data from new vantage points. We distill our clients’ ideas and discoveries into key point(s) of difference that are proprietary (in terms of patents and trademarks), compelling to retailers and consumers, and impactful for potential investment and acquisition.
Intellectual property rights, in its many forms (patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets), play a central role in launching new products and services. We also spend considerable time assisting our clients with development and commercialization agreements and regulatory compliance, including review of copy and promotional materials and, where applicable, registration with FDA.
Louis C. Paul
Distinguished career: Intellectual property attorney and litigator, industry speaker and author. Louis Paul continues his leadership role. For over 25 years, Louis has counseled industry leaders, entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, personal healthcare and biomedical fields. Beyond patents, trademarks, and licensing, Louis’ practice covers claims substantiation and regulatory issues involved in bringing products and technologies to market, as well as commercial agreements covering supply, marketing and distribution, testing, endorsements, infomercials, websites and apps.
Louis’ passion for science began in high school, when he was named a top finalist in the Westinghouse/Intel Science Talent Search. At Columbia, Louis clerked for federal district court judge, the Honorable Robert J. Ward. He also authored sections of a report to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services on the Human Genome Project.
Major affiliations: Louis is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC), and has taught numerous courses on patents in skin and hair care at regional SCC chapters throughout the United States, at national SCC meetings, and for the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists. He continues to be an invited speaker at industry conferences and seminars hosted by medical and scientific societies including: Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association; Dermal Clinical Evaluation Society; Society for Toxicology; Health & Beauty America; Supply Side (East and West); Florida SCC Sunscreen Symposium; and Strategic Research Institute, for which he served on the annual Cosmeceuticals Conference Advisory Board. Louis' presentations have covered active ingredients (peptides), sunscreens, specialty products (cellulite, acne), color cosmetics, beauty/nutritional supplements, delivery systems, diagnostic imaging, technology transfer/licensing as well as claims substantiation and the law of organic/natural labeling.
Notable writing: Louis is the author of Patent Peace of Mind, a definitive book on patent law for product development professionals He has written numerous chapters on patent law, including the most recent updates of Chemistry and Manufacture of Cosmetics and Biotechnology in Personal Care. His articles have been published in Inside Cosmeceuticals ("Is Patenting Food Ingredients in Cosmetics Obvious?") and in Clinics in Dermatology ("Cosmeceuticals and Patents: The Physician and Dentist Brands"). Louis has also written legal-scientific topics treatises for the American Bar Association and the Environmental Law Institute. He is currently authoring articles on patented eyelash technologies and patenting database architecture to accelerate product development.
Select cases: Louis has litigated and been involved in the settlement of cases involving health and beauty products at all levels of the judicial system, including before the United States Supreme Court. Many of these cases were of headline importance:
- Dow Corning silicone breast implants
- American Home Products Fen-Phen diet drugs
- Pfizer Rezulin insulin drug
- Liggett and Myers cigarettes
- Kerr McGee uranium waste
- Monsanto PCBs
Scientific/Technical Team
Over the years, we have built close relationships with a trusted team of industry experts, each with decades of experience, and technical consultants with training in biomedical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, cellular biology, database architecture, computer software and industrial design.