Warnecke and McMillion Tackle Alternative Choices to Patent Disputes Cases

Partner Michael Warnecke and Associate Brandy McMillon recently wrote an article published by Who's Who Legal: Patents 2010. The article concerned the use of "Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)" when resolving litigation disputes, particularly those of patents. Stemming from the complexity and expense of patent litigation, Warnecke and McMillion ask companies to, "…consider potential effects on third-party relationships as some customers may choose another supplier if one is involved in litigation." They continue to detail the advanagtes of ADR financially, saying that, "While costs can mount because of arbitration presentations are usually much more involved and detailed in patent disputes, there are several benefits to selecting arbitration as an ADR method." The article concludes with the admission that ADR may not be the end all of patent disputes, but instead it is an aid to which the "willingness and ability" of companies to truly resolve the patent dispute at hand.