Pierce Atwood Announces Boston IP Attorney Becomes Partner

Pierce Atwood LLP is proud to announce that its Boston patent attorney, Erik Saarmaa, has become a partner of the firm as of January 1, 2012.  Erik has a broad-based practice focusing on counseling companies and investors in protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for private and public companies, including start-ups.  He joined the firm in March 2010 as counsel.  Before joining Pierce Atwood, Erik was associated with two large general practice law firms in Boston. 

Managing Partner Gloria A. Pinza said Pierce Atwood is delighted to have Erik become a partner.  “Erik is a highly respected member of our Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group.  His skills as an attorney, combined with his technical expertise and significant real-world experience, give Pierce Atwood tremendous capabilities in the intellectual property field.”

Erik’s representative technology areas include web search, mobile communication, application software, internet technology, medical devices and systems, semiconductor and industrial manufacturing systems, MEMS device technology, biological detection platforms, renewable energy systems, defense and aerospace systems, financial services, and control systems. His recent work includes patent and trademark portfolio development, prosecution and post-issuance practice, structuring product development and distribution agreements, collaborative research arrangements, cross-licensing agreements, strategic partnerships and joint ventures and licenses. His recent litigation matters include claim construction, infringement analysis, and validity analysis.   

Prior to entering the legal profession, Erik was Vice President of Research and Development and Corporate Treasurer for Active Control eXperts, Inc. ("ACX"), a cutting edge product development company focused on applying advanced materials, structural dynamics, and multivariate analysis and control techniques to commercial and industrial products. His responsibilities included platform development, intellectual property protection, engineering operations, and materials research. He was the third employee and an integral contributor to the growth of ACX and to the ultimate acquisition of the company by Cymer, Inc., the leading publicly traded supplier of laser systems to the semiconductor industry. Erik is also a named inventor on eight U.S. patents.