New intellectual property group follows tech growth

The creation of a new section of the Nevada Bar Association for specialists in intellectual property is yet another indication of the growing importance of technology companies in the state, observers say.

Like other bar association sections ranging from probate to gaming law, the new intellectual property section brings together specialists for discussion and education.

The striking thing is this: There are now enough intellectual property specialists in the state about 50 have signed up for the new section to justify meetings.

"The obvious influx of high-technology businesses to Nevada has created a need that didn't exist when I moved here 12 years ago," says attorney Kenneth D'Alessandro of Sierra Patent Group Ltd.

at Stateline.

Alison Estee, managing director of the state's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, says the increased availability of intellectual property specialists is yet another piece of infrastructure to help build the technology sector in Nevada.

"It's a step in the right direction," Estee says.

At the same time, all sorts of companies and not just technology outfits are beginning to pay more attention to intellectual property such as trademarks and copyrights, says attorney Paul Deyhle of McDonald Carano Wilson in Reno.

"Even the smallest business has intellectual property issues," says Deyhle, among the first members of the new bar association section.

Lara Pearson, an Incline Village attorney whose office helped spearhead the new section, says the group also seeks to bring higher visibility to intellectual property specialists in Nevada.

"Folks don't need to go to Boston or Silicon Valley to get intellectual property counsel," she says."There are a lot of intellectual property practitioners in Nevada, but there's a lack of knowledge that they're here."

Deyhle,meanwhile, says the section also will be working with legislators to find ways in which Nevada's intellectual property laws can be improved.

"There are issues out there that haven't been addressed in Nevada," he says."That's one of our most important goals."