http://cummingslaw.net

Nothing says "freedom" like your own business. We happily offer a full range of legal services including patent prosecution, patent searches, patentability reports and opinions, trademark searches, freedom to practice opinions, licensing agreements, business start-ups, and transactions. We are expert at helping start-ups and small to medium sized businesses gain and advance a toehold into their destinies through the protection of their intellectual property, and especially their inventions. We offer a corporately strategic approach without breaking their budgets. Our clients know our mantra: "Our job is to help put you in business...and keep you there." We service clients of all size, from the corporate to the single inventor. We are happy to help and advise all.

At Digital Factory, Inc., we provide innovative solutions for all of your digital communication, data-gathering and customer messaging needs. Yes, it's like that. I protect DF's intellectual property and execute our comprehensive strategies to protect its IP and increase value.

This was by far the most fun"job" that I've ever had. I was never an official employee, but I worked on-site about ten hours per day and of course on the weekends. The founder had a dream. I believed in it, and worked tirelessly to help him make it happen. As GC and Chief IP counsel, I led all areas related to the legal establishment and maintenance of the company. I created and reviewed all company agreements, led litigation efforts and vigorously defended the company against all threats. Also, I created its entire patent portfolio domestically and internationally. This led to a multitude of patents being issued for Blegalbloss, LLC. Beyond all of that, I went on all of the sales trips. I learned how the prototyping process melts into actual production, and how production gets into the stores. I learned how the big box stores operate and what they do to drive down prices. I learned how they negotiate when they do not own the intellectual property. It was a fascinating and eye-opening experience. I saw and learned the entire cycle from conception to product placement. This work made me a better, more experienced attorney and a much more knowledgeable business person.

Not many people think "innovation" when they think about Kroger, but I can personally vouch for the big brains and big talent walking the halls of the Kroger Co. I worked with many of those folks, and learned a lot from them. I worked on at least three big Kroger projects and personally drafted and prosecuted all of the patent applications, many of which became patents. But don't take my word for it: look up "Kroger" and "Theodore P. Cummings", and you'll see my name on many of the issued patents of the same time period. The head of R&D at Kroger is one of the best people that I've ever known. His ability to connect the dots of technology to the marketplace is astounding. It was my great pleasure to work side by side with him and learn the business and technology at the same time. Because of this, I developed an expertise in wireless systems and how to network them. That's what most of the patents were about. Before me, Kroger had never had an in-house patent attorney. My work showed them the necessity of having in-house patent expertise. When the GC at the time asked me to meet with him and advise him as to the qualities of such a person, I was happy to share my thoughts to help Kroger make the best possible hire.

This is the position that taught me how to be a transactions attorney. My first role at GE was as an IP transactions attorney. That meant that I was responsible for reviewing and negotiating all IP related agreements in the procurement part of the GE Aircraft engines. GE AE has many partners that help it deliver on its various aircraft products. My days were full and long. When I came into the role there was a backlog of many agreements to sort through and finish. I truly enjoyed the work and people that I worked with. It was an empowering experience that allowed me to be close to the business, which I love.

This was my first job out of college. To say that I was a little green would be a major understatement. I was 23, was an East Coast kid, and yes, I thought I that I knew everything. Procter had recruited me for two different positions, both as engineers. Both jobs were in Cincinnati. I felt wanted. I knew that Procter was a GREAT company. My entire life had been filled to the brim with P&G products. I was a Crest kid, for sure. The job that I took had me working on Tide of all things. At the time, the main formula for Tide had changed and would now use a fairly unstable ingredient that required special care in transport. My job was to a) help design that transport system and b) ensure that it worked as intended. The project was one part mechanical engineering (my major), but two parts chemistry (not my major). My trepidation notwithstanding, I got to work trying to understand the key ingredient's chemistry and how the designed mechanical system would protect it. Though a junior engineer, I was entrusted with huge responsibility. I worked with the contract engineering company to design the delivery system, execute it and test it in the field. This job taught me the meaning of prototype testing and re-design when prototypes fail. Eventually, we designed and built the right transportation system and made sure that the new, key ingredient for Tide would work.

These were five consecutive summer internships while in college. My internships were through Inroads, and yes, I indeed graduated from the Inroads Washington, DC office.