Dawn-Marie Bey
Virginia
Bey & Cotropia PLLC
213 Bayly Court
Richmond, VA 23229
United States
Tel: 804-441-8530
Email:
dawnmarie@beycotropia.com
Web:
www.beycotropia.com
Dawn-Marie Bey has 25 years of intellectual property (IP) experience and clients ranging from one-person start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. She counsels clients on a range of IP issues including U.S. and foreign patent prosecution strategies, complex IP portfolio management, patent enforcement and infringement defense, IP licensing, IP due diligence and IP ownership in view of government funding (e.g., Bayh-Dole Act, FAR, DFAR). She has expertise with proceedings conducted before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, including grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) post. Key industries and technology areas include Aerospace, space and defense, AI and machine learning, sensors and detection, cybersecurity, biomedical devices, oil and gas, and consumer products.
Dawn-Marie began her technical career conducting experiments in the field of plasma physics at the Naval Research Laboratory. She spent four years as a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office examining patent applications in the electrical and optical arts and is registered to practice before the USPTO. Prior to founding the woman-owned firm of Bey & Cotropia PLLC, Dawn-Marie was with large international law firms for 14 years, most recently as a partner with an Am Law 50 firm. She has previously served as co-chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Diversity Committee and served a 3-year term as an editor of the AIPLA Quarterly Journal.
Ms. Bey has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in intellectual property law since 2014 and by Best Lawyers since 2017, including Patent Lawyer of the Year in Richmond in 2022 and 2024. She has also been recognized as a go-to intellectual Property Lawyer in Virginia by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. A frequent author and presenter, Ms. Bey has most recently presented on Intellectual Property topics to faculty and students at Georgetown University.
Dawn-Marie attended George Mason University School of Law, where she graduated with a recognized concentration in intellectual property law, completing individual courses in all areas of intellectual property including patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets and specialized courses in patent licensing, patent damages, patent prosecution, patent litigation, interferences, unfair trade practices and international protection of intellectual property.
Patent Prosecution
We have substantial and varied patent prosecution experience across numerous technical fields including emerging technologies. We estimate that firm members have worked with more than 750 inventors and prosecuted thousands of patent applications. We prepare, file, prosecute and maintain patent applications both in the US and in non-US jurisdictions (with assistance from foreign counsel). We can assist with foreign-originated U.S. application filings and prosecution. We handle complex post-grant proceedings, including those involving patents asserted in parallel litigation proceedings. Our members have argued multiple cases before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies to individual inventors.
Patent Analysis & Valuation
We have extensive experience with claim charts and patent analysis, as well as patent valuation and patent portfolio audits. This includes (in)validity, freedom to operate, clearance and infringement searching and analyses, as well as patent claim reviews for inclusion as standard essential patents (SEPs).
Trademark Prosecution
We provide trademark application preparation, filing and prosecution support as part of our comprehensive intellectual property client service offerings. We docket and maintain U.S. and international trademark matters.
IP Licensing & Agreements
We prepare and negotiate intellectual property licensing and sale agreements and provide reviews of intellectual property terms and conditions in various contracts, including government contracts (e.g., FAR, DFAR, Bayh-Dole Act), employment agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
We are familiar with provisions of the GPL and LPGL and third-party code reviews.
Copyright Protection
We assist clients with copyright registration and provide counseling regarding protection and enforcement strategies for copyrightable material. Additional capabilities include DMCA enforcement and compliance.
IP Litigation Support
We provide legal analysis, including pre-filing intellectual property reviews such as patent claim analysis and trademark reviews. Additionally, members have prepared expert legal and technical reports in support of intellectual property litigation.
Appellate Practice
We prepare and file briefs and conduct oral arguments in support of client positions in matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
M&A IP Due Diligence
We have conducted intellectual property due diligence reviews in support of numerous potential mergers and acquisitions. These reviews can include identification and review of existing patents, trademarks, copyrights, domains, litigation, key technology, key employees, as well as review of identified IP-related agreements and licenses.
The team have prepared and prosecuted hundreds of patent applications across a wide range of technologies, industries and clients, including, for example, financial institutions, defense contractors, software developers and providers, gaming companies, semiconductor companies, the oil & gas industry, smart grid companies and universities.
Bey & Cotropia’s experience includes ex parte and inter partes reexamination (now review) proceedings, pre-issuance third party submissions, accelerated examination and in-depth knowledge of Patent Office rules and procedures. Additionally, the firm’s lawyers have substantial experience with pre-enforcement issues including portfolio vetting and analysis for assertion as well as threat consideration and response and opinions.
The firm also has experience conducting intellectual property due diligence and agreement drafting in support of licensing ventures, mergers & acquisitions, investment review and spin-offs.