Mr. Spink is an IP attorney with over 20 years of broad experience counselling clients on patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret matters. He is business oriented with experience managing intellectual assets of large and small clients based all over the world, including procurement and protection of patent and trademark portfolios, auditing and protecting trade secrets, setting corporate policy and providing IP analytics.
A secondment with an automotive supplier during bankruptcy allowed Mike to effectively serve as in-house IP counsel for 3 years and ultimately transact the entire IP portfolio. He has significant experience in licensing and intellectual asset management and provides advanced data analytics, asset mapping and portfolio analysis to leverage business assets. In addition to patent counselling and procurement, Mike also conducts a full trademark practice, including appearances before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Frequent travel to Europe and Asia supports the direct management of IP in the automotive, medical device and consumer products industries.
Education & Credentials
Education
The John Marshall Law School
J.D., 1999- cum laude
The University of Michigan
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1996- cum laude
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- IAM Patent 1000
- Prosecution: Recommended, 2024
- Leading Lawyers
- Copyright & Trademark Law, Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law, 2021
- IAM 300- Intellectual Asset Management Magazine
- Leading Intellectual Property Strategist, 2014, 2017-2022
- Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) 2010-2021
- Law Bulletin Publishing Company
- Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer
- Leading Lawyers Network, 2016
- Michigan Super Lawyers®
- "Rising Stars," Intellectual Property, 2010-2014
Prominent Assignments
- Diamond Power International Inc. v. Clyde Bergemann Inc. (TTAB 2014). Represented Diamond Power in an opposition proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The TTAB sustained the opposition in favor of Diamond Power.
- EBC Brakes USA, Inc., et al., v. Allan M. Teagan, et al., (E.D. Mich. 2014). Represented EBC Brakes in a trademark, copyright and unfair competition suit. The case settled with a consent judgment.
- Detroit Tigers, Inc. v. Detroit Muscle, LLC (TTAB 2007). Represented Detroit Muscle in an opposition proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
- ASC, Inc. v. Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. (E.D. Mich 2006). Represented Dura Convertible Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Collins & Aikman Corporation, in an adversary proceeding in a bankruptcy court. Dura was accused of patent infringement. The case settled.
Professional Involvement
- Licensing Executives Society; Co-chair of Michigan chapter 2014-2019
- Intellectual Property Owners Association; Management Committee, 2014-2015
- American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
Court Admissions
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
- U.S. Dist. Court, N.D. Illinois
- U.S. Dist. Court, E.D. Michigan
Publications/Presentations
- "U.S. Supreme Court Decision Eases Restrictions on Domain Trademarks," Detroit Legal News, July 10, 2020
- “Recent Licensing Decisions," Brinks Learn & Links, Dearborn, Michigan, June 6, 2017
- Federal Circuit Says "Teaching Away" Must Cover the Entire Claim Scope, October 23, 2017
- Client Alert: Brexit's Impact on Intellectual Property Rights in the United Kingdom, July 14, 2016
- “Two Brinks attorneys discuss trademarks at WCBA event," Washtenaw County Legal News, Troy, Michigan, March 28, 2016
- "Introduction to Non-Traditional Trademarks," A2Y Chamber, Early Edition, Ann Arbor, Michigan, November 18, 2015
- "Intellectual Property Agreements and Licensing," University of Michigan- Dearborn, Product Realization Technology Commercialization Program, February 6, 2010
- "Corporate IP Conference" Law Bulletin Seminars, July 15, 2009