Unified Defense Program
Ex parte reexamination defense for patent owners responding to Unified Patents challenges
Unified Patents regularly files ex parte reexamination requests challenging the validity of issued U.S. patents. Responding effectively requires more than addressing the cited prior art—it requires a prosecution strategy that considers the potential impact on licensing, litigation, continuation practice, and the long-term strength of the patent family.
AddyHart represents patent owners throughout Unified Patents ex parte reexamination proceedings. Our attorneys integrate patent prosecution, PTAB, appellate, litigation, and technical experience to develop response strategies that seek not only to preserve patentability but also to protect the broader commercial value of the portfolio.
Who is Unified Patents?
Unified Patents is an organization that seeks to challenge patents it believes affect its members' interests. One of its primary tools is filing ex parte reexamination requests with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, asking the Office to reconsider the validity of issued patent claims. For patent owners, responding effectively requires both technical expertise and a well-developed prosecution strategy.
What We Offer
$20,000 Contingent Flat Professional Fee
Payable only upon the defined successful result
We believe patent owners should be able to defend valuable intellectual property without assuming unnecessary financial risk. Our Unified Defense Program is offered on a $20,000 contingent flat professional fee, payable only if the engagement achieves one of the defined successful outcomes described below.
What's Included
Included
Preliminary Response &
Pre-Order Submission
USPTO Office Action Responses
Examiner Interviews
Attorney preparation of Expert Declarations
Strategic prosecution guidance throughout the reexamination
Not Included
Expert witness fees and expenses
PTAB Appeal
Request for Rehearing
Federal Circuit Appeal
Petitions
Ancillary proceedings outside the agreed scope
Learn More
What Constitutes Success?
For purposes of the Unified Defense Program, a successful result includes one or more of the following:
The USPTO declines to order ex parte reexamination
One or more original patent claims are confirmed as patentable
One or more claims remain patentable following amendment
Although some claims are canceled, at least one challenged claim remains confirmed or patentable
A favorable PTAB decision resulting in confirmation of at least one challenged claim following appeal
The precise definition of a successful result is established in the engagement agreement.
Recent Wins Against Unified
Representative results are presented for informational purposes only. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in future matters.
Relevant Team
The professionals below combine ex parte reexamination, PTAB, appellate, litigation, and technical experience relevant to defending patents challenged by Unified Patents.
Meredith Martin Addy
President & Co-Founder · Registered Patent Attorney · Electrical Engineer
An electrical engineer and registered patent attorney, Mimi draws on more than 100 district-court patent cases and more than 100 Federal Circuit appeals to advise on prosecution strategy, PTAB proceedings, licensing, and portfolio durability.
Gregory B. Gulliver
Partner · Registered Patent Attorney · Former Software Engineer
A former software engineer with nine years of industry experience, Gregory has prepared and prosecuted hundreds of applications involving wireless communications, software, computer hardware, semiconductors, and network technologies.
Brandon R. Theiss
Partner · Registered Patent Attorney · Licensed Professional Engineer
A licensed professional engineer and former industrial-control and medical-device engineer, Brandon advises on patent prosecution, § 101 strategy, portfolio development, and post-grant proceedings involving AI, software, cloud systems, medical devices, and automation.
Craig McLaughlin
Senior Counsel · Registered Patent Attorney · Biology Background
A registered patent attorney with a biology background and nearly 30 years of experience, Craig handles utility and design-patent matters involving medical devices, mechanical systems, consumer products, computer hardware, and related post-grant and appellate issues.
