Preston Heard

Career

Preston is a registered patent attorney who litigates intellectual property disputes throughout the US and abroad. Preston has represented clients in US District Court in numerous states, and before the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in Section 337 actions. Preston’s practice is focused primarily on patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation and covers a broad range of technology areas. His cases have involved technologies such as oil and gas well drilling and recovery, computer networks, blade servers, carpet tufting machines, laser printing, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, heat transfer labels, outdoor equipment, flooring products, roofing shingles, decorative lighting, personal hygiene products, digital cameras and catalytic heaters. Preston has frequently represented companies and trade associations whose members have been targeted by non-practicing entities (NPEs).

Preston has represented both petitioners and patent owners in inter partes review (IPR) and post grant review (PGR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board at the USPTO. In addition to his IP litigation work, Preston has experience representing clients in prosecution and licensing matters. He helps businesses evaluate and protect their intellectual property assets, devise strategies to obtain federal and state IP protection, develop licensing and enforcement policies, and assess potential infringement claims.

He is also involved in the firm’s pro bono activities and has represented clients through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Preston is a co-author of the Georgia IP Litigation blog.