John T. Tower, Esq.
John Tower represents clients in prosecution of patent applications in the United States and internationally, due diligence and licensing for patent portfolios, and both prosecuting and defending complex patent, trade secret and copyright litigation. A registered patent attorney and electrical engineer, he brings his technical acumen to bear for clients in the electronics, telecommunications, computer software, digital advertising, and medical device industries.
John has successfully represented clients in asserting their patents against competitors and defending clients against patent claims from competitors and non-practicing entities, both in litigation and in non-litigation enforcements. In addition to his federal district court litigation experience, John also has represented clients in both Inter Partes Review and Reexamination procedures before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (both pre- and post-AIA). His outstanding technical expertise has helped resolve dozens of patent disputes on business terms, obtain favorable claim construction orders on Markman briefing, and leverage clients’ existing portfolios to create new revenue streams.
John also co-authored amicus briefs before the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court in the high-profile case The Association for Molecular Pathology et al v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., which addressed the issue of the patentability of human genetic material (specifically, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and mutations thereof that correlate to an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers). The U.S. Supreme Court eventually adopted a position consistent with the outcome urged by the amici the firm represented.
Prior to entering Texas Wesleyan University Law School (now Texas A&M University School of Law), John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
RECENT REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Negotiating favorable settlements on behalf of a major restaurant franchise accused of infringing patent portfolios relating to mobile communications, digital marketing, payment card processing, and online reservations
- Providing technical analysis for successful Markman briefing on behalf of a client in a suit asserting its patents against a competitor in the consumer electronics industry
- Assisting in discovery, mediation and settlement of a copyright and trade secret misappropriation suit relating to computer software and proprietary customer information
- Securing dismissal of a patent lawsuit against several co-defendants relating to the manufacture of GPS-based consumer electronic devices
- Obtaining a favorable settlement on behalf of a food supplier accused of trademark infringement and cybersquatting
- Assisting in written discovery, depositions and mediation in a trademark and trade dress infringement case relating to water filtration systems, ultimately leading to a successful settlement in favor of the defendant clients
SELECTED HONORS/MEMBERSHIPS
The Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn American Inn of Court - Associate, 2015-2017
- Barrister, 2017-2023
- Master, 2023-present
Dallas Bar Association Intellection Property Section - Treasurer, 2023-present
- Director, 2018-2023
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Texas
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Texas
EDUCATION
- Juris Doctorate, cum laude – Texas Wesleyan University Law School, 2006
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering – University of Texas, 2003