Richard E. Billion

Of-counsel

Rich Billion is a founding shareholder and currently of-counsel with Billion & Armitage. He is registered patent attorney with over 30 years of Intellectual Property law experience. In addition to earning a degree in law, Rich also earned a Masters in Business Administration. Rich worked for several major corporations including IBM, Exxon, and Control Data. Most recently he was Patent Counsel for Fair Isaac so he brings a keen understanding of various clients needs to his practice.

He was a shareholder at Schwegman, Lundberg and Woessner so he understands the workings of large firms. He currently practices intellectual property law with an emphasis in computer hardware and software, medical devices, and other mechanical and electro-mechanical devices. Rich also has extensive experience in preparing proof packages to apply patents in licensing situations. IBM even recognized him for “Excellence in Licensing” during his employ. Rich earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with Highest Honors from South Dakota State University. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, an honorary society for engineers, and Pi Tau Sigma, an honorary society for mechanical engineers, while at South Dakota State.

Rich earned a degree in law and a masters in business administration from the University of South Dakota. In the past, he served as chairman of the AIPLA Committee on Medical Devices and Practices, a subcommittee of the Emerging Technology Committee. Rich has traveled extensively to Asia for license negotiations and has also given speeches on the economics impact patent law, and drafting patents for licensing value. He even has been called on to speak at the USPTO to young patent examiners on the subject. Rich is admitted to the Minnesota, South Dakota, and Texas Bars in addition to the Patent Bar.

Presentations & Publications

November 2010, spoke to the Licensing Executives Society on the business aspects of patents. Discussed strategies for creating Rembrant patents that will be valuable offensive and defensive tools in licensing. Discussed claiming strategy of overlaying your new technology onto a competitors technology.
October 2006, spoke to a committee of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association’s on newly promulgated procedure for expediting prosecution of patent applications. Discussed pitfalls and relatively few advantages.
November 2005 to June 2006, Lecturer and role player for monthly phone seminar series entitled “Genesis of a Startup Company”. Discusses topics related to Intellectual Property from cradle to exit from a startup.
January 2005, South Dakota Technology Business Center, spoke at the Entrepreneur Round Table lecture series.
November 2004, Guest Lecturer for the Joint Engineering Council at South Dakota State University. Discussed the role of intellectual property in technology companies.
June 2004, INNOMAX CLE Seminar. Discussed Honeywell International Inc. and Honeywell Intellectual Properties, Inc. v. Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation.
May 2004, South Dakota State University, Engineering Day, “Intellectual Property: Economic Seed Corn”.
June 2003, INNOMAX CLE Seminar “Advanced Claim Drafting in the Mechanical Arts: Transitional Terms”.
March 2002, INNOMAX CLE Seminar “Opinion Writing for Business Method Patents and Software Patents”.
March 2002, All District Legal CLE Seminar “Timing is Everything: Determining What and When to Patent”, and “Claims to Fame: The Patent Prosecution Process”.
March 2000, AIPLA Spring Meeting, Main Session, CLE Seminar “Patent Prosecutor’s Pet Peeves” presented in panel discussion with three patent examiners.
October 1999, AIPLA Partnering in Patents IV, “Patent Prosecutor’s Pet Peeves”.
Various times, “Writing Valuable Patents” and “Law for the Creative Mind” and “Business Aspects of Patents”.
Internal Seminars at various corporations, including IBM, FICO, Control Data, and others.

Professional Organizations

Chairman of the Subcommittee on Medical Devices for the AIPLA Emerging Technologies Committee, 1999-2002.
Board of Directors for the Minnesota Valley YMCA. Co-chair of the 2003 Y-Partners Campaign, Vice chair of the 2004 Y Partners Campaign, and Chairman of the 2005 Y Partners Campaign.
Boy Scouts of America, Northern Star Council, Chief Black Dog District. Currently an Assistant Scout Master with Troop 298, and a Den Leader with Pack 298.

Of-counsel

Presentations & Publications

Professional Organizations

Ben Armitage

Shareholder/CEO

Michael A. Collins

Shareholder

Mark Burns

Patent Attorney