Bill Honaker

Practice Areas

Since 1984, Bill has practiced intellectual property law across a broad range of industries. As a former USPTO Examiner, he has extensive experience, in all aspects of patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright matters, including litigation. He advises on the protection of inventions, trademarks and copyrightable subject matter. His clients include Fortune 500, small- to mid-size privately-held companies, and startups. Bill also speaks internationally on IP issues, and is the author of a popular book on the topic.

Professional Memberships

State Bar of Michigan; Intellectual Property Law Section (Former Chairman); American Bar Association; American Intellectual Property Law Association; International Trademark Association; Intellectual Property Owners Association; Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) (Co-Chair); National Speakers Association.

Publications

Author, “Blue Gentian v. Tristar Underscores the Importance of Naming the Correct Inventors on a Patent,” IP Watchdog, August 2023; Author, ''Russian Doll' Copyright Infringement: Beware What's in the Background," IP Watchdog, May 2022; Author, "Intellectual Property Challenges in Business Collaboration," Bloomberg Law, February 2022; Author, "Lessons From Moderna's COVID Vaccine Patent Dispute," Law360, January 2022; Author, "The Perks and Pitfalls of Creating Prolific AI Inventors," VentureBeat, December 2021; Author, "What Every Business Needs to Know About Intellectual Property Rights," StartupNation, November 2021; Author, “Will Non-Competes Go Extinct?,” SmallBizDaily, August 2021; Author, “Cheers to World IP Day!” Detroit Legal News, April 2021; Author, “A New Online Board to Punish Infringers,” QuickRead, April 2021; Author, “The New Copyright Small Claims Board Presents Problems for Copyright Owners and Small Businesses,” IP Watchdog, March 2021; Author, “California Prohibits Post-Employment Assignments; Has Pandora’s Box Opened for Michigan and Other States?,” Detroit Legal News, February 2021; Author, “Business Advisors: Know the Three Intellectual Property Traps Ensnaring IP Holders,” Detroit Legal News, December 2020.

Education

Awards