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Steven Shape is an Intellectual Property Attorney at Merchant and Gould. His practice encompasses prosecution, litigation, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and licensing for U.S. and international clients. Steve focuses on providing businesses with a competitive advantage, particularly those in the electrical, mechanical, and aerospace industries.

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<p class="wp-block-contentpilot-introduction">Steven Shape is an Intellectual Property Attorney at Merchant and Gould. His practice encompasses prosecution, litigation, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and licensing for U.S. and international clients. Steve focuses on providing businesses with a competitive advantage, particularly those in the electrical, mechanical, and aerospace industries.</p>

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<h2>A Trusted Strategist &amp; Advisor</h2>

For over 40 years, Steve has helped clients protect their ideas in a variety of corporate disciplines and technologies throughout the world. His goal is to help them grow their key business assets while supporting their overarching business strategy.

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<p>For over 40 years, Steve has helped clients protect their ideas in a variety of corporate disciplines and technologies throughout the world. His goal is to help them grow their key business assets while supporting their overarching business strategy.</p>

Steve enjoys blending his technological expertise and legal experience to help his domestic and international clients grow their businesses. He has protected and defended patents, trademarks and other intellectual property and business assets for his clients throughout the U.S. and in Japan, Germany, UK, United Arab Emirates, China, and Korea. He guides his clients in the best course of action available for their long-term growth.

<p>Steve enjoys blending his technological expertise and legal experience to help his domestic and international clients grow their businesses. He has protected and defended patents, trademarks and other intellectual property and business assets for his clients throughout the U.S. and in Japan, Germany, UK, United Arab Emirates, China, and Korea. He guides his clients in the best course of action available for their long-term growth.</p>

Steve knows how vital it is to establish trusted relationships. He maintains a regular dialogue with each client, delivering valuable information and strategic recommendations that help clients navigate a successful path forward.

<p>Steve knows how vital it is to establish trusted relationships. He maintains a regular dialogue with each client, delivering valuable information and strategic recommendations that help clients navigate a successful path forward.</p>

A Wealth of Experience &amp; Leadership in IP Law

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Wealth of Experience &amp; Leadership in IP Law</h2>


<h2>A Wealth of Experience &amp; Leadership in IP Law</h2>

Since 1982, Steve has accumulated legal experience in business, intellectual property, technology, antitrust and cybersecurity practices. Steve supports a wide range of client needs across the globe, including:

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In a village of La Mancha, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind, there lived not long since one of those gentlemen that keep a lance in the lance-rack, an old buckler, a lean hack, and a greyhound for coursing.

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<p>Since 1982, Steve has accumulated legal experience in business, intellectual property, technology, antitrust and cybersecurity practices. Steve supports a wide range of client needs across the globe, including:</p>

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<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>IP protection</li>



<li>Negotiation, mediation, settlement and litigation of patent infringement, trademark, copyright, licensing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims</li>



<li>Licensing and patent strategy development</li>



<li>Monetization of IP</li>



<li>Portfolio management and expansion</li>



<li>Identifying portfolio gaps for potential value</li>



<li>Determining patent and trademark viability</li>



<li>Freedom-to-practice strategy and development</li>
</ul>


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Negotiation, mediation, settlement and litigation of patent infringement, trademark, copyright, licensing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims

<li>Negotiation, mediation, settlement and litigation of patent infringement, trademark, copyright, licensing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims</li>

Licensing and patent strategy development

<li>Licensing and patent strategy development</li>

<li>Portfolio management and expansion</li>

Identifying portfolio gaps for potential value

<li>Identifying portfolio gaps for potential value</li>

Determining patent and trademark viability

<li>Determining patent and trademark viability</li>

Freedom-to-practice strategy and development

<li>Freedom-to-practice strategy and development</li>

<ul><li>IP protection</li><li>Negotiation, mediation, settlement and litigation of patent infringement, trademark, copyright, licensing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims</li><li>Licensing and patent strategy development</li><li>Monetization of IP</li><li>Portfolio management and expansion</li><li>Identifying portfolio gaps for potential value</li><li>Determining patent and trademark viability</li><li>Freedom-to-practice strategy and development</li></ul>

From mergers and acquisitions to management and operations, Steve’s experience is vast. In addition to being licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, he is also licensed in the US Supreme Court and the USPTO.&nbsp;

<p>From mergers and acquisitions to management and operations, Steve’s experience is vast. In addition to being licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, he is also licensed in the US Supreme Court and the USPTO.&nbsp;</p>

Steve practices with a business-growth mindset, always focused on helping clients succeed. His pragmatic approach and extensive knowledge allow him to provide each client with a comprehensive plan that supports their development goals.&nbsp;

<p>Steve practices with a business-growth mindset, always focused on helping clients succeed. His pragmatic approach and extensive knowledge allow him to provide each client with a comprehensive plan that supports their development goals.&nbsp;</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Technology Enthusiast</h2>


From an early age, Steve had a passion for learning about technology. He often experimented with building radios, audio amplifiers and other electronic circuitry. This interest led him to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

<p>From an early age, Steve had a passion for learning about technology. He often experimented with building radios, audio amplifiers and other electronic circuitry. This interest led him to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.</p>

After completing his undergraduate degree, Steve obtained his top-secret clearance for an internship at an aerospace defense contractor. He then gained experience as a clerk with an IP law firm while attending law school.

<p>After completing his undergraduate degree, Steve obtained his top-secret clearance for an internship at an aerospace defense contractor. He then gained experience as a clerk with an IP law firm while attending law school.</p>

Steve attended the University of Cambridge and earned his Certificate of Study in Law, with specialties in Intellectual Property and International Law. From there, he earned his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law, where he participated in a legal clinic with significant trial work.

<p>Steve attended the University of Cambridge and earned his Certificate of Study in Law, with specialties in Intellectual Property and International Law. From there, he earned his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law, where he participated in a legal clinic with significant trial work.</p>

Besides being an experienced attorney, Steve is also a licensed pilot. A Chicago area native and resident, he also played ice hockey and enjoys refereeing youth, and men’s, and women’s college hockey games.

<p>Besides being an experienced attorney, Steve is also a licensed pilot. A Chicago area native and resident, he also played ice hockey and enjoys refereeing youth, and men’s, and women’s college hockey games.</p>

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<section class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more"><div class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__excerpt is-visible" data-selector="expand-more"><p></p></div><div class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__full-content" data-selector="expand-more"><h2>A Wealth of Experience &amp; Leadership in IP Law</h2><p>Since 1982, Steve has accumulated legal experience in business, intellectual property, technology, antitrust and cybersecurity practices. Steve supports a wide range of client needs across the globe, including:</p><ul><li>IP protection</li><li>Negotiation, mediation, settlement and litigation of patent infringement, trademark, copyright, licensing, unfair competition, and false advertising claims</li><li>Licensing and patent strategy development</li><li>Monetization of IP</li><li>Portfolio management and expansion</li><li>Identifying portfolio gaps for potential value</li><li>Determining patent and trademark viability</li><li>Freedom-to-practice strategy and development</li></ul><p>From mergers and acquisitions to management and operations, Steve’s experience is vast. In addition to being licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, he is also licensed in the US Supreme Court and the USPTO.&nbsp;</p><p>Steve practices with a business-growth mindset, always focused on helping clients succeed. His pragmatic approach and extensive knowledge allow him to provide each client with a comprehensive plan that supports their development goals.&nbsp;</p><h2>A Technology Enthusiast</h2><p>From an early age, Steve had a passion for learning about technology. He often experimented with building radios, audio amplifiers and other electronic circuitry. This interest led him to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.</p><p>After completing his undergraduate degree, Steve obtained his top-secret clearance for an internship at an aerospace defense contractor. He then gained experience as a clerk with an IP law firm while attending law school.</p><p>Steve attended the University of Cambridge and earned his Certificate of Study in Law, with specialties in Intellectual Property and International Law. From there, he earned his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law, where he participated in a legal clinic with significant trial work.</p><p>Besides being an experienced attorney, Steve is also a licensed pilot. A Chicago area native and resident, he also played ice hockey and enjoys refereeing youth, and men’s, and women’s college hockey games.</p></div><button class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__more-button is-visible" data-selector="expand-more">Show More</button><button class="wp-block-contentpilot-expand-more__less-button" data-selector="expand-more">Show Less</button></section>

Steven M. Shape

A Trusted Strategist & Advisor

Practices