Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network and business and social events. The SACC-DC Newsletter will help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Swedish-American business community and find the perfect opportunity to create new business connections in the greater Washington D.C. area and Mid-Atlantic region.

MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

Warren A. Zitlau

What do you do? 

I am a patent and trademark attorney, representing U.S. and foreign clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  I help mostly individuals, entrepreneur­­s, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to protect their technological products and processes (patent) and/or their branding of goods and services (trademark). 

I am particularly interested in Swedish and Nordic markets because there are so many entrepreneurial and innovative companies there. But my connection to Sweden is deeper than that, as my paternal great-grandparents immigrated from Sweden.

What sets me apart from other intellectual property attorneys is that, even with over 25 years of experience, I personally handle my clients’ patent and trademark matters.  Also, working at a boutique law firm, I offer cost-effective collaboration with clients.

What inspired you to specialize in patent and trademark prosecution, particularly in chemical and mechanical disciplines?

I have a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware.  I wanted to pursue a graduate education, but was not interested in a long-term career in academia or being in a laboratory.  After graduation, I studied law at Boston University.  My first position as a lawyer was in Washington, DC.  I worked at a small general practice firm,  disliked it, and resigned. With the kind advice of an older attorney, I pivoted to focusing on a career in intellectual property and never looked back!  Because of my chemical engineering studies, I usually work with technological inventions that have a chemical aspect:  coatings, adhesives, food & beverage, batteries, cosmetics, metallurgy, oil & gas, etc.  However, I also work with mechanical technologies, such as prosthetics and medical devices, and design patents, which protect the ornamental feature of an article (e.g., automotive wheel cover, perfume bottle, pet bed).  

What are some of the most interesting or challenging cases you have worked on in your career, and how did you approach them?



The most rewarding cases are often the result of helping individual inventors obtain a patent or trademark.  The patent process can be quite confusing and many individuals feel overwhelmed and do not know where to begin.  There are also cases that are challenging from a technical or legal perspective.  For example, recent U.S. case law on patentable subject matter has had a detrimental impact on medical diagnostic applications, which are now often deemed unpatentable as being directed to a law of nature.  In this challenging environment, I helped a German company obtain patents on methods for early diagnosing and treating asphyxia and related disorders due to a lack of oxygen.  Another difficult case involved a reflective transfer for shirts and other textiles.  We were the third law firm to work on the patent application and vigorously pursued the matter before the patent examiner.  Ultimately, we were successful in obtaining a patent. The approach in each case is similar: ensuring a thorough understanding of the invention, the prior art, and the relevant case law; planning a strategy with a client based on his/her commercial goals and objectives; and conducting interviews with the patent examiner assigned to the patent application.

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in intellectual property law and regulations?

I am an active member in the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), which has international members including attorneys from Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.  This organization has many webinars and in-person meetings to address current issues and topics of interest in the intellectual property landscape.  I also occasionally attend meetings of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) and the International Trademark Association (INTA), both of which have numerous Nordic members.

The wide range of Swedes in these organizations is an encouragement to me of the importance in US markets as it relates to Swedish companies and intellectual property.

What do you think are the most important skills for a successful intellectual property lawyer to possess?

The majority of intellectual property attorneys have a technical degree.  It is important for intellectual property attorneys to not only understand the underlying technology of the patent applications on which they work, but also to effectively communicate the technology and its importance to patent examiners with an eye towards possible litigation.  Successful IP attorneys are good storytellers and constantly think about the best ways to describe (claim) inventions.

Why did you become a member of SACC-DC and what benefits have you gained?

I initially joined SACC-DC after my first visit to Sweden in 2019, where I attended a conference sponsored by the International Section of the New York Bar Association.  Importantly, that trip allowed me to travel to Skövde to visit the birthplace (Varola) of my great-grandmother and to meet Swedish relatives. 

"I ... wanted to learn about the technological landscape of Sweden.  Swedish companies and technology are all around us"

Near my DC office, a Polestar dealership is under construction, and the new building up the street was developed by Skanska.  Sweden is also at the forefront of developing green and sustainable technologies.  

I have benefitted from learning, for example, about the fossil-free steel initiatives of SSAB and Vattenfall; the sustainable packaging efforts of the Paboco company; and the commitment to Sustainable Aviation Fuel of SAS.  Recyclable and sustainable considerations to every aspect of business is often a topic at the SACC events.  But I have mostly benefitted from meeting a lot of interesting people!

THANK YOU WARREN A. ZITLAU



Click here to get to Mr. Zitlaus LinkedIn or mailadress:

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Nordic Innovation & Sustainability Forum 2023

The Nordic Innovation & Sustainability Forum 2023, invitation-only event that will be held on April 19th at the prestigious House of Sweden in Washington D.C. The focus of the event will be on sustainable architecture and transportation solutions, and it will bring together a carefully selected group of global experts, policymakers, and practitioners. Our objective is to facilitate discussions on innovative approaches that can revolutionize cities through sustainable building and transportation practices, while also examining the growing demand for Nordic solutions in the United States.

WE WELCOME OUR SPEAKERS!

SWEDEN FOCUS

SACC-DC hopes you had a HAPPY EASTER/ GLAD PÅSK!

Easter is a Christian holiday that is celebrated in both America and Sweden, but there are some differences in how the two countries observe the holiday. In America, Easter is typically celebrated with church services, Easter egg hunts, and family gatherings that often involve a special meal, such as ham or lamb. The Easter bunny, a popular figure in American Easter celebrations, is believed to bring Easter eggs and other treats to children.

In Sweden, Easter is also a religious holiday, but it is celebrated with some unique customs. One of the most notable traditions is the Easter witch, or påskkärring, which involves dressing up as a witch and going door-to-door to collect candy and treats. Swedes also decorate branches with feathers and other decorations, and hang them inside their homes. Another popular Swedish Easter drink is the påskmust, a type of soda that is only available during the Easter season.

PAST EVENTS

LOOKING AHEAD

Join SACC For The Event "Life Science Bridge"

Join the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in San Diego, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, New England, and Minnesota for Bridging the Gap - Life Science Bridge 2023, a one-day webinar featuring speakers from the top four life science clusters in the U.S. and Sweden. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to listen to world-class experts discuss the challenges, opportunities, and future of Life Science Innovation in healthcare!

Executive Forum

by Swedish- American Chamber of Commerce of USA

The Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the United States of America (SACC-USA) are hosting one of their flagship events, the Executive Forum, held annually in House of Sweden, Washington, D.C. The event is held in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden.

The 2023 Executive Forum will showcase the innovative companies showing the way towards net zero across a diverse set of industries. These thoughtleaders have made a commitment to not only benefit their bottom line, but also to positively impact society as a whole. As a premier business development platform, the Executive Forum will also explore how to leverage the Swedish Brand against the backdrop of an increasingly fragmented and uncertain geopolitical and economic outlook.

The Event will kick-start on May 3rd, 2023 with a cocktail reception in a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind and connect with professionals from various fields. The following day May 4th will include a full schedule of seminars, discussions, company presentations, and world-class speakers.

RECOMENDATIONS FROM SACC-DC

We want to encourage you to stay updated by reading the newsletters from SACC-USA and the news from the Swedish Embassy!

We highly recommend taking the time to read these news regularly to stay informed and connected with the Swedish-American community. As always, SACC-DC remains committed to providing our members with the resources and information they need to succeed.

The Embassy of Sweden hosted an event highlighting Swedens Green transition achievements in sustainable transportation, production, energy, and green buildings. The exhibition is made by the Swedish institute in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Washington DC. The exhibition is open for the public at the house of Sweden, SACC-DC highly recommend you visiting this exhibition!

House of Sweden is open for the public on weekends between 12-5PM.

Business Services Provided by SACC DC

SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small business, potentially resulting in new collaborations, clients, and partnerships. Read more about our B2B Matchmaking service and how to make a request here.

Your company has the opportunity to be assisted by a Business Associate or a trainee with short-term projects aiming to increase your knowledge about specific markets. Read more about our Trade Services and how to make a request here.

Visit our membership page to join as a new member, or renew your membership through the membership portal. SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. We also tailor trade missions for Swedish companies interested in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Whether an individual with a keen interest in or connection with Sweden living in D.C. or a company looking to establish new relationships, we can help you reach your next goal.

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