A Conversation With ... Eugene Han

I graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a degree in biology. After graduation, I worked with two doctors doing molecular biology research. With the first doctor, I was researching a therapeutic cell separation column for patients afflicted with multiple myeloma, a bone-marrow-based cancer. Basically, we were trying to determine if we could separate the cancerous cells from the noncancerous cells using a matrix that would attract and attach to the cancerous cells. With the second doctor, I was researching a retrovirus that would deliver a bone protein to broken bone sites in animals. After researching for a few years, I went to law school with the intent of becoming a patent attorney. I graduated from Boston College Law School in 2001. During law school, I interned at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office … in the biotechnology center where I got a firsthand look at patent applications relating to biotech inventions. Upon graduating from law school, I went to work for Los Angeles law firm Pillsbury Winthrop full time. I worked in the intellectual property department at Pillsbury. My work experience included working on litigation matters involving Web-based factory controllers, light fixtures, and diagnostic medical kits that would identify human cells. I also worked on pharmaceutical, medical, mechanical and biotech inventions.

How long did you prepare for the exam that you recently passed that allows you to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

I guess you could say since I was in law school, because that’s when I started taking classes that prepared me for the exam. But, aside from my work experience, I took a class that specifically prepared me for the exam, and I would estimate that it took me more than 150 hours of studying.

What is intellectual property, exactly?

Intellectual property in the legal world is most often thought of as encompassing patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. In the United States, a patent is awarded for a novel and unobvious invention. The invention must be for one of the following: an apparatus, a method of doing something or a composition. Trademarks, on the other hand, are things like the name of a product, the logo of a business or the domain name of a Web site. A trademark may be a mark like the Nike swoosh or the name Nike itself that a company puts on its packaging or products. Trademarks are very valuable to a business because they are an easy way for the public to associate a good or product with a business. Trade secrets are things such as the secret formula of a soda drink like Pepsi or confidential customer lists used by a business with sales.

What do you think is the most common misperception of intellectual property protection?

That big companies are the only ones that utilize patents, trademarks and copyrights. For many people, inventions are a hobby or something they do in their spare time. People should realize that these ideas are also worthy of protection.

What other types of cases do you focus on?

I am a member of the firm’s general business and litigation groups. So, I see a wide variety of legal issues including matters relating to employment contracts, bankruptcy, corporate governance and business practices.

What are some issues affecting the local legal industry right now?

The rapid growth of the Southwest Missouri area is one issue. With such growth, there will be a growing demand for more specialized and technical legal services. For example, I know that Springfield is actively courting nanotechnology companies. As these nanotechnology companies become established and develop new and exciting devices and ways of making products, they will undoubtedly need intellectual property protection. … As these companies prosper, so too will Springfield with new jobs and increased revenue.

What’s the last good book you read, and why did you enjoy it?

I have an 18-month-old son. For months, we have been reading “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats and all that time, he has loved the book, but not understood what snow is because he had not seen it. When it recently snowed, his idea and appreciation of the story changed because he finally gets what this thing is called “snow.”

Tell us about your family and your hobbies.

I have a wonderful wife, Jenifer, who I met in law school. We both practiced law in California before moving to Springfield. My wife grew up in Springfield and received a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. While in California, we were blessed by the birth of our son, Tyler. My son’s birth and my wife’s ties to Springfield ultimately brought us here. My wife practices law with her father here in Springfield at Placzek & Francis. As for hobbies, I am an avid golfer and sports spectator.