Patent Attorney Archives

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Skell, Inc., dba Bug-A-Salt, has filed suit against the department store chain Dillard's and its distributor, William E. Connor & Associates, for infringing on Skell's 2013 patent for a "bug killing gun," according to Bug-A-Salt's attorney, Liat Cohen.

The complaint was filed in United States District Court of Delaware, case 1:20-CV-01567-UNA.

In the suit, Loren Maggiore, the inventor of Bug-A-Salt, defines his invention as, "A 'gun' that uses table salt as particulate projectiles to stun or kill insects, particularly flies."

The patented Bug-A-Salt gun, which is safe around children and pets, has been on the market since 2013. More than three million Bug-A-Salt units have been sold; revenue from several versions of the product have resulted in sales in excess of $100 million.

In December 2019, Skell management became aware that Dillard's was offering for sale a near-identical Chinese-manufactured product it called "Salt War Gun." That same month, Skell sent a cease-and-desist letter to Dillard's, demanding they stop selling the counterfeit item. Dillard's responded they would do so, and later confirmed that the "Salt War Gun" had been removed from all of its stores. Subsequent investigation showed the patent-infringing product was still available at Dillard's in Florida and other Dillard's stores.

According to an article in the Jan. 26 issue of Barron's magazine, Dillard's was the second-most shorted small-cap stock on the Russell 2000 index, behind GameStop.

Little Rock, Arkansas-headquartered Dillard's has more than 300 locations in 29 US states.

"I first came up with this crazy idea more than 30 years ago, and never dreamt it would become the international success that it has," Maggiore says. "With Dillard's acknowledging our patent but not terminating its sales of its knock-off product, this is a case of the typical small entrepreneur fighting against the corporate giant refusing to do the right thing," he says.

To contact Liat Cohen, Esquire, regarding this suit, call (818) 579-9996 or email her at https://liatlaw.com/.

Skell, Inc., dba Bug-A-Salt, has filed suit against the department store chain Dillard's and its distributor, William E. Connor & Associates, for infringing on Skell's 2013 patent for a "bug killing gun," according to Bug-A-Salt's attorney, Liat Cohen.

Related link: https://liatlaw.com/

PALO ALTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- VLP Law Group LLP is pleased to announce that patent attorney Jim White has joined the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group as a partner based in Seattle, Washington.

Mr. White is a seasoned patent attorney with over 20 years of experience in patent procurement in computer-related areas, including computer software and Internet-related patents. He focuses his practice on the domestic and foreign prosecution of computer-related patents, and also provides services in strategic planning and analysis of patent portfolios, patent validity and infringement opinions, and patent licensing.

Prior to becoming a software patent attorney, Mr. White worked as a software engineer in Silicon Valley for over six years.

"We are thrilled that Jim will be joining the VLP patent team," said David Roise, Co-Chair of VLP's Intellectual Property Practice Group. "Jim's technology background in software and Internet-related technology will further strengthen our expertise in these areas. His experience working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley prior to becoming a patent attorney, and his subsequent legal practice in patent prosecution, strategic IP planning and analysis and patent diligence speak to the expertise and value he provides his clients. We look forward to having him as part of our IP group."

Mr. White said, "VLP's sophisticated cloud-based infrastructure, as well as its existing team of skilled patent procurement professionals, will enable me to provide outstanding service to clients. I am very excited to be joining this fine team of lawyers in such a dynamic environment."

About VLP:

Founded in 2008, VLP is a business and transactional law firm that delivers top quality legal services from experienced attorneys through an efficient platform. The firm has a broad practice, reaching across many industry sectors, including high tech, life sciences, clean tech, retail, consumer products, edtech, and real estate. VLP has continued its strong growth, and is made up of noted attorneys with significant experience who believe VLP's unique, client-oriented model is the best platform for their practice. Our partners are regularly recognized by their peers as outstanding attorneys, and the firm has been recognized as a top company for its promotion of quality of life in the workplace.

VLP partners represent clients that vary in size from individual executives and early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. Our clients include public and private corporations, venture capital investors, private equity funds, educational institutions and companies, nonprofits and individuals.

We provide general corporate, licensing, contract, intellectual property protection and counseling, securities regulation, financing, merger and acquisition, real estate, commercial lending, tax, employment and other legal services.

More information: https://www.vlplawgroup.com/

VLP Law Group LLP ('VLP') is pleased to announce that patent attorney Jim White has joined the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group as a partner based in Seattle, Washington. Prior to becoming a software patent attorney, Mr. White worked as a software engineer in Silicon Valley for over six years.

Related link: https://www.vlplawgroup.com/

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Tag Archives: Patent Attorney

Bug-A-Salt Files Patent Infringement Suit Against Dillard’s Inc.

VLP Law Group Continues Its Growth with the Addition of Patent Attorney Jim White