Timeline

Brilliant incandescent light. The electric trolley car. Rechargeable batteries. Sound amplification in movie theaters. Printing press technology. Respiratory devices. Transdermal nicotine patches. The Human Growth Hormone. Hybrid automobile technology. Windshield wipers. Airbag control in automobiles. Digital video news distribution. Video game consoles. Drug eluting stents. Automobile tire pressure monitors. Handheld computing devices. Television parental control technologies. Ebook viewers. Antihistamine products. Sugar substitutes. Mass spectrometers.

Since its founding in 1879, the firm known today as Kenyon & Kenyon LLP has been handling intellectual property matters involving these and other products and innovations that have provided convenience, safety, health and fascination for countless generations. Through the years, industries have grown and new ones have been developed, and we have met this challenge head-on by always maintaining our presence at the intersection of cutting edge technology and the law. Today, Kenyon forges ahead in the same visionary spirit and tradition that began more than 130 years ago of helping clients gain competitive IP advantages.

We invite you to explore Kenyon’s rich history by scrolling through our timeline below. For a complete list of recent notable matters not included on this timeline, please visit our Representative Matters page.

• 2012

  On behalf of Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world’s largest generic drug manufacturer, Kenyon wins a series of high-profile ANDA litigations against several key players in the generic pharmaceutical space. In Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. et al v. Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. et al., Kenyon successfully asserts the patents underlying Teva’s largest selling product, multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone®, which accounts for nearly one-third of the company’s profits.

• 2012

  Kenyon obtains its 35,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 2012

  The American Lawyer identifies Kenyon as a firm that promoted women to partnership in 2012 at a rate well above the legal industry benchmark.
  

• 2011

  In a decision that helps define the continued availability of injunctions after the Supreme Court's 2006 eBay decision, Kenyon wins a Federal Circuit victory for client Robert Bosch LLC in a patent infringement case involving windshield-wiper technology. In the case, Robert Bosch LLC v. Pylon Manufacturing Corp., the Court of Appeals reverses the District Court’s decision to deny Bosch a permanent injunction against the infringer, and orders the District Court to enter an injunction.

• 2011

  Kenyon again wins Managing Intellectual Property's Strength in Diversity Award, which is presented each year to one firm that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to diversity.

• 2011

  Kenyon moves its Silicon Valley office from San Jose to Palo Alto, California.

• 2011

  In a series of high-profile, worldwide patent litigations against LG Electronics, Kenyon represents Sony in five US litigations (including three ITC cases) directed to telecommunications standards, cell phone features, Blu-ray DVD technology and televisions and computer monitors, as well as advises on multiple cases in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Korea. The cases, which included Sony Corporation v. LG Electronics U.S.A. Inc. et al, result in a favorable settlement for Sony.

• 2010

  Kenyon is honored with Managing Intellectual Property's Strength in Diversity Award, which is presented each year to one firm that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to diversity.

• 2008-1

  A case which marks a significant development in defining the law for federal and state unfair competition claims based on marks that are not used in the United States is won by Kenyon on behalf of Punchgini, Inc. (owner of Bukhara Grill), when the New York Court of Appeals refuses to recognize the “Famous Marks Doctrine” as a basis for federal unfair competition claims brought by foreign trademark owners under the Lanham Act. The case, ITC Ltd. and ITC Hotels Ltd. v. Punchgini Inc. et al., is later featured in Managing Intellectual Property's "10 To Watch - The Cases Shaping Trade Mark Litigation" issue.

• 2008

  Kenyon obtains its 30,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 2007

  Kenyon is recognized as a top law firm for diversity by American Lawyer's “Diversity Scorecard” for having a high percentage of minority attorneys, particularly in partnership positions. Kenyon goes on to win this same recognition for the next four consecutive years.

• 2006

  The Russian government’s claim that it owns the STOLICHNAYA trademark is denied when Kenyon secures dismissal for Allied Domecq in Federal Treasury Enterprise Sojuzpolodoimport, et al. v. Spirits International, et al.

• 2005

  Kenyon obtains its 25,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 2004

  New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg designates April 22, 2004 as “Kenyon & Kenyon Day” in recognition of the firm’s 125th anniversary. The proclamation recognizes Kenyon as having “one of the most powerful IP practices in the world” and acknowledges that Kenyon “continues to bring to the law a firm grasp of the most cutting-edge developments in technology.”

• 2003

  Kenyon obtains its 20,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 2002

  Once again, the National Law Journal features one of Kenyon’s cases as a "Top Verdict” of the year. In Applera Corp. v. Micromass UK Ltd, Kenyon convinces a jury to find that client Applera Corp.’s patent in suit is valid and infringed. The court also enters a permanent injunction preventing the sale or importation into the U.S. of Micromass Quattro UltimaTM (mass spectrometer systems).

• 1999

  Kenyon secures a preliminary injunction against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of American Home Products, now known as Wyeth, in American Home Products v. Johnson & Johnson and Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. The injunction prevents Johnson & Johnson from making, using and selling an infringing oral contraceptive product, Norgestimate, which is chemically similar to American Home Products’ Norgestrel.

• 1998

  A jury verdict of infringement of two patents for next-generation magazine printing technology, which Kenyon wins for Heidelberg Harris Inc., results in an injunction valued at $800 million at the time it is issued. The verdict is recognized by The National Law Journal as being among the top verdicts of that year. The Federal Circuit affirms the verdict in the case, Heidelberg Harris, Inc. v. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc.

• 1996

  Silicon Valley, the world's preeminent high technology region, becomes the location for Kenyon’s third office when the firm expands to San Jose, California. The firm relocates the office to Palo Alto, California in 2011.

• 1994

  Donald Duvall, a partner at Kenyon, authors Unfair Competition and the ITC: Actions Before the International Trade Commission Under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which becomes the go-to treatise on ITC case management. Kenyon attorneys update it regularly thereafter.

• 1994

  Kenyon obtains its 10,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 1990

  Kenyon begins a long-standing relationship with the Special Olympics, Inc. to provide pro bono legal representation in connection with maintenance and management of its worldwide trademark and licensing rights portfolio.

• 1988

  Kenyon obtains its 5,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 1983

  Kenyon opens its Washington, DC office.

• 1982

  Richard L. Mayer, a partner at Kenyon, authors Das U.S. Patent, a comprehensive overview of U.S. patent law.

• 1981

  Kenyon relocates to One Broadway after occupying offices in numerous buildings located in downtown Manhattan. The landmark building has seen many and varied incarnations, from hotel to the offices of the United States Line. The site also served as the headquarters for George Washington and General Putnam during the Revolution and later, as a British command post after Washington and Putnam abandoned the city. The building is considered New York’s first “skyscraper,” standing guard over New York Harbor. It remains the firm’s headquarter office.

• 1981

  Kenyon obtains its 1,000th patent on behalf of a client.

• 1979

  Kenyon celebrates its 100 year anniversary. The firm is subsequently elected to full membership in the Hundred Year Association of New York, Inc.

• 1963

  United States Steel, represented by Kenyon, wins judgment of patent invalidity and non-infringement in Armco Steel Corp. v. United States Steel Co., a case involving a continuation process for galvanizing sheet metal

• 1957

  United States Rubber, represented by Kenyon, wins the “tubeless tire case”, B.F. Goodrich Co. v. U.S. Rubber Co., with the Court determining that Goodrich’s patent was invalid and not infringed.

• 1930

  At a time when the movie houses are all converting from silent to sound films, the principal independent maker of theatre sound equipment, represented by Kenyon, litigates against the Western Electric Company regarding basic AT&T circuits for electronic amplification. Western Electric Co. v. Pacent Reproducer Corp.

• 1924

  W. Houston Kenyon, Jr., son of William H. Kenyon, joins Kenyon & Kenyon as an associate. He is admitted to the partnership five years later, in 1929.

• 1922

  William H. Kenyon organizes a group of friends to launch a project which results in the formation New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) and the first occasion of what becomes known as NYIPLA’s Annual Judges Dinner. William H. Kenyon serves as the Toastmaster for the Dinner, which takes place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
  
  William H. Kenyon becomes the NYIPLA’s first president, an office he holds for 3 terms. The office is later held over the years by numerous Kenyon partners.
  

• 1912

  Glenn H. Curtiss retains Kenyon to convince the Examiner in the Patent Office that Curtiss’ invention of a flying boat is patentable. The firm coordinates a short demonstration flight for the Commissioner of Patents, as well as several of his assistants, with a take-off from the Potomac River. The hull is that of a low-freeboard motorboat, with engine, propeller and biplane wings supported overhead. Seatbelts have not been invented yet.

• 1903

  Winton Motor Carriage Co. retains Kenyon to defend it against the Selden patent, asserted to dominate all automobile manufacture. Winton settles the case, becoming one of the owners of the patent. Due to conflict concerns resulting from its representation of Winton, the Firm later declines an invitation to defend Ford Motor Co. when the new owners of the patent sue to stop production of the new “Model T”.

• 1901

  In the “War of Currents” era involving disputes over the use of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) power distribution, the Stanley Electric Company hires Kenyon to litigate Westinghouse E & M Co. v. Stanley Co., which involved the issue of whether Stanley’s split-phase alternators infringed the Tesla patents on alternating currents. Before the merits could be reached, Stanley sells his business to GE, which terminates the case by bringing the alternators under GE’s Westinghouse license.

• 1899

  The firm changes its name to Kenyon & Kenyon.
  Kenyon becomes one of the first to hire female attorneys when it hires associate Mary Kenyon, a graduate of New York University Law School, which was then the only law school in New York accepting women.
  William Kenyon wins an appeal in Sprague Electric Rwy, & Motor Co. v. Union Rwy. Co. on behalf of trolley and railroad companies defending against preliminary injunction motions under the Van DePoele trolley patent, which brings current from an overhead wire down a trailing trolley pole. The win earns the firm the retainer to argue a series of appeals involving Frank J. Sprague’s patent on the “wheel-barrow” motor mount for an electric car, which converts the current brought down by Van DePoele’s trailing trolley pole into propulsion.
  

• 1893 -
  1895

  The firm handles patent litigation cases involving the pioneer patents in the electric power and light industries. Partner William Kenyon argues a case in the U.S. Supreme Court involving the Charles F. Brush patent on electric arc lights. Kenyon, along with Partner William Witter, defends numerous independent incandescent lamp manufacturers in patent cases involving Thomas A. Edison’s lamp patent, which later become known as the famous “Edison Light Bulb” patent cases.
  
  The cases generate press from several newspapers, including Electrical World’s April 22, 1893 issue, in which it is reported that “one of the remarkable features of the Columbia Incandescent Lamp case was the summing up for the defendant by Mr. William H. Kenyon, which was pronounced by many of those present as one of the ablest arguments they had ever heard.”
  

• 1893

  The firm hires its first ex-Examiner from the U.S. Patent Office.
  
  After the invention of the sewing machine in the 1850’s, New York quickly ascends to become the nation’s largest producer of garments. Imperial Fashion Company hires Kenyon to defend it in a patent infringement litigation filed by the Standard Fashion Company involving a patent on fastening together paper dress patterns. Imperial pays Kenyon a retainer fee of $100.
  

• 1879

  The firm is established as Browne & Witter through the partnership of Causten Browne and William C. Witter. Soon thereafter, the firm is renamed Browne, Witter and Kenyon after William H. Kenyon joins the partnership.