John Mutchler

John H. Mutchler

(he/him/his)

Partner

John H. Mutchler

(he/him/his)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    John H. Mutchler advises clients on their intellectual property rights with specific experience in patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, patent appeals before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and Intellectual Property litigation. His practice includes patent prosecution and reexamination proceedings, licensing, U.S. government and private company contracting, copyright and trademark consulting and litigation, portfolio management, and IP due diligence in bankruptcy proceedings, asset purchase and sales agreements, business formation, and mergers and acquisitions.

    John has extensive industry and legal experience in fields including nuclear and fossil power generation, pulverizing equipment, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS), rotating equipment including pumps and compressors, valve design, bearings, energy conservation and energy efficiency, manufacturing including extrusion and plastic forming devices, non-destructive testing, metallurgy, medical devices, aerospace and rail system components, branding and trademark protection for food and beverages and for apparel including tee shirts and athletic clothing, copyright protection for manuscripts, poems, books, drawings, sketches and sculptures.

    In his former capacities as an executive and senior manager at Northeast Utilities, ABB, and Combustion Engineering, John was responsible for energy-related technology and research and development. He has more than 30 years of experience in energy generation, including nuclear power, fuel cells and fossil power; environmental issues and energy conservation; electro-mechanical devices; manufacturing, welding and metal fabrication; research and development; and due diligence and portfolio management.

    John is a Professional Engineer, registered to practice in Connecticut. He has been an adjunct professor of law at Western New England University School of Law, Rensselaer Polytechnic University and the University of Hartford, where he taught IP, IP Licensing and Entrepreneurship courses. He is a patent holder as co-inventor of two valve-related system products. John is also a respected and much sought-after presenter who has spoken about all aspects of global intellectual property law, including the protection and enforcement of global trademarks and inventions.

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Emseal Joint Systems, LTD. v. Schul International, Co., LLC et al - Patent Infringement *

      • Emseal Joint Systems, LTD. v. MM Systems Inc. – Patent Infringement *

      • Takamine Gakki Co., LTD v. KMC Music, Inc. et al - Trademark Litigation *

      • Clearwater Systems Corporation v. Clearwater Enviro Technologies Inc. - Trademark and
        Copyright Infringement proceeding*

      • David A. Potts and Geomatrix, LLC v. S-Box LLC – Patent Infringement *

      • DGG Properties Co., Inc. v. Giovanni’s II, Inc. – Trademark Infringement *

      • * A* Attorney Mutchler was counsel in these representative matters prior to joining Robinson+Cole.

    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      Connecticut Bar Association
      LGBTQ Section
      Intellectual Property Section

      South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut (SABAC)
      Board of Directors (2021)
      Treasurer (2022)

      Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity
      Board of Directors (2021-2022)
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Presented with the Best Mentor Award as part of the Connecticut Law Tribune's 2020 Connecticut Legal Awards

      Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Copyright Law for 2021

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Connecticut Quarter Horse Association
      Former Member, Board of Directors (2019 - 2021)
      Treasurer (2021 - Present)

      Highland Knoll Association
      Member, Board of Directors and Treasurer (2021 - Present)
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Cooperative v. Kollective CAFC Decision Demonstrates Virtues of Consistent and Candid Patent Prosecution Litigation," co-authored with John L. Cordani, published in IPWatchdog (10/19/2022)
      • » more info

        • Cooperative v. Kollective CAFC Decision Demonstrates Virtues of Consistent and Candid Patent Prosecution Litigation

        "Cooperative v. Kollective CAFC Decision Demonstrates Virtues of Consistent and Candid Patent Prosecution Litigation," co-authored by John H. Mutchler and John L. Cordani, published in IPWatchdog (10/19/2022)

        In the article, the author’s highlight how Cooperative’s “simple, coherent and consistent narrative about the merits of the invention” which they stuck with through prosecution, litigation and appeal, led to their eventual success, despite the invention being “potentially assailable on eligibility grounds.” The lesson to be learned from this case, according to the authors, is that “[T]hose ancient virtues of truth, candor and courage may be slow, but there is no denying their ultimate persuasive power in the long run.”

      • View article

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Global Considerations Related to Intellectual Property Rights *," a webinar presented as part of the U.S. Commercial Service Export Week (5/5/2022)
      • » more info

        • Global Considerations Related to Intellectual Property Rights *

        "Global Considerations Related to Intellectual Property Rights *," presented by John H. Mutchler, a webinar presented as part of the U.S. Commercial Service Export Week (5/5/2022)

        “Global Considerations Related to Intellectual Property Rights” 


      "Nuts & Bolts of IP Law *," for the ACC of Westchester/Southern Connecticut * (10/7/2021)
      • » more info

        • Nuts & Bolts of IP Law *

        "Nuts & Bolts of IP Law *," presented by John H. Mutchler, for the ACC of Westchester/Southern Connecticut * (10/7/2021)

        Nuts & Bolts of IP Law *


      "Global Intellectual Property Protection *," a webinar presented as part of the U.S. Commercial Service Export Week * (5/6/2021)
      • » more info

        • Global Intellectual Property Protection *

        "Global Intellectual Property Protection *," presented by John H. Mutchler, a webinar presented as part of the U.S. Commercial Service Export Week * (5/6/2021)

        Global Intellectual Property Protection *


      "Global Intellectual Property Considerations *," a webinar presented during the District Export Council Export Week *  (5/2/2019)
      • » more info

        • Global Intellectual Property Considerations *

        "Global Intellectual Property Considerations *," presented by John H. Mutchler, a webinar presented during the District Export Council Export Week *  (5/2/2019)

        Global Intellectual Property Considerations *


      "Intellectual Property Briefing *," during the Department of Commerce Export Week * (4/27/2017)
      • » more info

        • Intellectual Property Briefing *

        "Intellectual Property Briefing *," presented by John H. Mutchler, during the Department of Commerce Export Week * (4/27/2017)

        Intellectual Property Briefing *


    • News

      R+C in the News

      • November 9, 2022

        John Cordani and Jackie Scheib Featured in Law360 Article on IP+T Group’s Planned Patent Growth

        • » more info

          John Cordani and Jackie Scheib Featured in Law360 Article on IP+T Group’s Planned Patent Growth

          Intellectual Property + Technology Group co-chairs John L. Cordani, Jr. and Jacqueline Pennino Scheib were featured in the article “Robinson & Cole IP Heads See Further Growth After Team Hire” published in Law360 on October 25, 2022. The article highlights the Group’s focus on patent litigation and patent prosecution, which led to the addition of a four-person team led by John H. Mutchler in September. John acknowledges that the Group “is looking both to expand geographically and to ‘further complement’ the focuses of its client base,” and Jackie expressed excitement about the direction the Group is headed in making R+C’s IP practice more robust with a strong patent prosecution side adding that John and his team help clients “to best capitalize upon what they have developed and ensure that it’s being protected and enforced in the most efficient manner possible.” Read the article.

        • View article
      • October 26, 2022

        John Cordani and John Mutchler Co-Author IP Watchdog Article on the Virtues of a Consistent Patent Prosecution Litigation Strategy

        • » more info

          John Cordani and John Mutchler Co-Author IP Watchdog Article on the Virtues of a Consistent Patent Prosecution Litigation Strategy

          Intellectual Property + Technology Group lawyers John L. Cordani and John H. Mutchler authored the article, “Cooperative v. Kollective CAFC Decision Demonstrates Virtues of Consistent and Candid Patent Prosecution Litigation,” published in IPWatchdog on October 19, 2022. In the article, the author’s highlight how Cooperative’s “simple, coherent and consistent narrative about the merits of the invention” which they stuck with through prosecution, litigation and appeal, led to their eventual success, despite the invention being “potentially assailable on eligibility grounds.” The lesson to be learned from this case, according to the authors, is that “[T]hose ancient virtues of truth, candor and courage may be slow, but there is no denying their ultimate persuasive power in the long run.” Read the article.

        • View article

      R+C News Releases

      • September 12, 2022

        Robinson+Cole Bolsters Intellectual Property Practice

        • » more info

          Robinson+Cole Bolsters Intellectual Property Practice

          Robinson+Cole is pleased to announce the addition of John H. Mutchler as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property + Technology Group. He is joined by Patent Agent Joseph R. Conte III and Intellectual Property Specialists Christina A. Engel and Noelle T. Melnik. Mutchler has a global practice advising clients on their intellectual property rights with specific experience in patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, patent appeals before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and intellectual property litigation. Mutchler is a Professional Engineer licensed in Connecticut. Read more in the press release. 

        • View article