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Alan Harrison

Alan Harrison

Business and Intellectual Property Attorney
  • Business Law, Intellectual Property, Trademarks ...
  • Connecticut, USPTO
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Biography

Alan Harrison is a mechanical and nuclear engineer who served as an officer in the United States Navy Submarine Force before becoming an attorney. He addresses clients' legal matters with diligence and precision. He has practiced as an attorney since 2010. He especially enjoys helping small and medium business owners and founders with the legal issues that arise when starting and operating a closely held business. LLC and partnership agreements and disputes are a part of his practice. He also can address intellectual property risks, procurement, and protection.

Practice Areas
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
    Intellectual Property
    Trademarks
    Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration
    Patents
    Patent Appeals, Patent Prosecution
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Connecticut
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USPTO
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Principal
Sandollar
- Current
Attorney
Whitmyer IP Group
- Current
Attorney
Botos Churchill IP Law
-
Attorney
Otterstedt, Ellenbogen & Kammer
-
Attorney
McCormick, Paulding & Huber
-
Patent Agent
McCormick, Paulding & Huber
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Education
University of Connecticut School of Law
J.D. | Intellectual Property
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University of Connecticut School of Law Logo
Northeastern University
B.S. | Mechanical Engineering
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Honors: magna cum laude
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Awards
Honored Listee
Marquis Who's Who
Excellence for the Future - Contracts
Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction
Top student in law school cohort.
Excellence for the Future - Torts
Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction
Top student in law school cohort.
Professional Associations
Connecticut State Bar
Current
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Tau Beta Pi Alumni Chapter - Central Connecticut
Board member
Current
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Speaking Engagements
IP Considerations for Business Transitions, CBA Business Law Section, Elm City Club, New Haven CT
Connecticut Bar Association
One point five hour presentation about the significance of intellectual property in business transitions (start up, change of form, and purchase/sale).
Certifications
Patent Attorney
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Websites & Blogs
Website
SANDOLLAR Law Firm Website
Blog
SANDOLLAR Business and Intellectual Property Blog
Legal Answers
14 Questions Answered
Q. Can an organization copyright specific words as part of a business name vs. logo?
A: This sounds like a trademark bully at work. We could discuss further if you'd like to contact me.
Q. Can I legally copy copyrighted code examples that do a basic function for use as building blocks?
A: Like many software copyright questions, this one is fun to answer because it implicates the "merger doctrine" of (c) law.

Expressions of ideas have copyright as soon as the expression is made. Ideas themselves cannot have copyright. For example, detailed instructions for making a souffle may be copyright. The idea of making a souffle, and the basic steps for doing so, cannot have copyright.

When it's not clear whether something is an expression or a mere idea, copyright attorneys talk about "merger". It's a principle of doubt. Subject matter that has "merged" does not get copyright.

Often, very streamlined code may be merged subject matter. Stripped down to the essentials of how to accomplish the task, no garnish. To the extent that the code simply implements the idea of what it's supposed to do, it's free to copy.

Google and Oracle had a lawsuit about this. It went to the Supreme Court. You can read the final decision here: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4898858/google-llc-v-oracle-america-inc/?q=Google%20Oracle%20copyright%20Android%20Java
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Q. can this trademark be used in another application?
A: You've already done the first things that I would do about this.

The next questions I would ask are what is the proposed product line and would that product line be a natural expansion for the cutting fluid manufacturer?

Don't try to answer those questions in this public forum.

I'm available for consultation. Contact me to learn my rate.
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Contact & Map
Sandollar Law
23 Overhill Rd
Milford, CT 06460
Cell: (860) 704-9797
Notice: Hours by appointment.