Service Areas
Education
- Ohio State University College of Law, J.D.
- University of Akron, Ph.D.
- Jilin University, China, B.Sc.
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court
- Western District of Michigan
- Northern District of Illinois
Languages
- Chinese
Weisun Rao primarily practices intellectual property (IP) law with a focus on patent matters. He is adept at identifying IP assets, developing IP strategies and managing IP portfolios that position businesses to take advantage of both legal and business opportunities.
As part of his practice, he prepares and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patent applications in the areas of pharmaceuticals, netraceuticals, chemicals, biotechnology, and medical devices. He also conducts due diligence and counter-diligence investigations for his clients and provides expert advice on patentability or freedom-to-operate issues. Additionally, Weisun drafts and negotiates technology transfer agreements, IP licensing agreements, and other contracts related to IP transactions. His client base includes large corporations, small start-ups, academic institutions, and individuals.
Also, as a resident attorney in the firm’s Shanghai office, Weisun helps his clients obtain and enforce their IP rights in China, advises his clients on doing business in China, and provides legal advice to Chinese businesses interested in entering or expanding in the U.S. market.
“Intellectual property is the foundation of today’s technology-based global economy. I take great pride in helping my clients secure and commercialize their valuable inventions and in developing IP strategies that are an essential part of their business and growth plans.”
Weisun Rao
Experience
Weisun conducted patentability and freedom-to-operate investigations on a third party’s patented method for the treatment of endometriosis for a start-up company, then guided the client through the process of obtaining an exclusive license to this patented treatment method. With this license, the client has been able to attract substantial investments to bring its patented treatment to the commercial marketplace.
“It is always satisfying to see that the services I provided have helped our clients grow strategically.”
Professional Activities
- State Bar of Michigan
- State Bar of Illinois
- Chicago Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Honors + Awards
- Ohio State University College of Law, Cyber, Intellectual Property, Technology, and Entertainment Law Association President, 2003-2004
Publications
PATENTS
Hydrolytically Unstable, Biocompatible Polymers (with D.J. Smith), U.S. Patent #5,962,520
Evaluation of Linear Polyethyleneimine/Nitric Oxide Adduct on Wound Repair: Therapy Versus Toxicity (with D.J. Smith et al.), Wound Repair and Regeneration 1998, 6 (6), 169-577
Spermic Acid Diester Derivatives as Pharmacological Carriers for Long-term Controlled Nitric Oxide Delivery (with D.J. Smith), Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 1998, 46 (11), 1846-1847
Poly(butanediolspermate): A Hydrolytically Vulnerable Polyester-based Nitric Oxide Carrier (with D.J. Smith), Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers 1999, 14 (1), 54-63
Surface Properties, Fibrinogen Adsorption, and Cellular Interactions of a Novel Phosphorylcholine-Containing Self-Assembled Monolayer on Gold (with S.L. Cooper et al.), Langmuir 2001, 17 (14), 4396-4404