Thomas R. Johnson,  Attorney
		612.371.5299  |  Email  |  vCard Minneapolis Office 3200 IDS Center 80 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA ph: 612.332.5300 fax: 612.332.9081

Education

University of Wisconsin - River Falls
B.S., Economics, highest honors, 1989

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D., cum laude, 1992

Bar Admissions

Minnesota State Bar, 1993
Minnesota Federal Bar, 2001

Professional Affiliations

Licensing Executives Society (LES)
Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association - Past Copyright Section Chair
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
University of Minnesota - 4-H Foundation Executive Committee

Tom has tried numerous cases in front of both judges and juries. Since joining Merchant & Gould in 2001, he has been part of numerous trial litigation teams and has help achieve successful out comes for the firm's clients. Incorporating his undergraduate education, Tom has focused a significant part of his intellectual property litigation work on the economic impact of litigation. He counsels clients on tactics and trial issues with an eye toward cost-effective business solutions. He is skilled forming a clear picture of the potential economic impact the cases presents. He also is skilled at selecting the most qualified experts who will help the jury or judge understand the damages aspects of a particular case. Working closely with the experts, Tom's efforts enable a client to understand the business benefits and risk the litigation presents.

Articles Authored

The Inequitable Conduct Defense Lives On: 2003 Federal Circuit Decisions and Their Impact
The John Marshall Review of Intellectual Property Law, September 2004.

Supreme Court's Inducement Theory in Grokster Creates Uncertainty
Intellectual Property Today, August 2005, at 11. (Contributing Author).

Various Seminars

"The Google Digital Library"
MIPLA Stampede, May 8, 2006.

"Open Forum Discussion of the Grokster Decision"
MSBA Art & Entertainment Law Section, July 15, 2005. (Co-presenter).

Recent Cases

Donaldson Company, Inc. v. Cummins Filtration Inc., (United States District Court of Minnesota, 04-2680, Judge Patrick J. Schiltz). Represented Plaintiff in an action to recover patent infringement damages for heavy duty air filters. Matter settle upon conclusion of discovery.

Donaldson Company, Inc. v. Baldwin Filters Inc., (United States District Court of Minnesota, 04-2679, Judge Joan N. Ericksen). Represented Plaintiff in an action to recover patent infringement damages for heavy duty air filters. Matter settle upon conclusion of discovery.

Textron Innovations Inc., v. The Toro Company, (United States District Court of Delaware, 05-486, Judge Gregory M. Sleet). Represent defendant in action to recover patent infringement damages for multiheaded turf mower. Matter currently in re-examination.

The Toro Company v. Textron, Inc., et al., (United States District Court of Minnesota, 05-1835, Judge Patrick J. Schiltz). Represent Plaintiff in action to recover patent infringement damages for 4 wheel-drive turf mower. Matter currently in re-examination.

CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc. v. Protek medical Products, Inc., (United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa, 03-40722, Judge James E. Gritzner). Represented plaintiff for patent infringement of medical device. Action was resolved by parties.

National Graphics v. Travel Tags, (United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 04-cv-0023, Judge Adelman). Represented defendant against infringement allegations involving multiple patents for lenticular imaging technology. Case settled after favorable Markman hearing involving special master.

Creative Therapy Associates, Inc. v. Norwood Promotional Products, Inc., et al., (United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Judge Susan J. Dlott. Represented Defendant in Copy right infringement matter related to novelty items. Case settled.

Deere & Company v. Vermeer Manufacturing Company, (United States District Court of Iowa, 07-00076, Judge Celeste F. Bremer). Represented Defendant in against patent infringement related to automatic pipe loader. Case settled after summary judgment motions were filed.

Deere & Company v. The Toro Company, (United States District Court, District of Illinois, Rock Island Division, 99-4100, Judge Joe B. McDade). Represented Defendant against allegations of patent infringement related to aeration technology. Matter arbitrated with verdict in favor of Defendant Toro.

For Your Ease Only, Inc. v. Calgon Carbon, et al., (United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 02-7345, Judge Wayne R. Anderson). Represented Plaintiff in a declaratory judgment lawsuit. Infringement allegations related to method for preventing jewelry from tarnishing. Secured $2 million dollar judgment against several defendants.

Hearth & Home Technologies, Inc., et al. v. Travis Industries, (United States District Court of Minnesota, 02-4191, Judge Franklin L. Noel). Represented Plaintiff in patent infringement lawsuit related to pioneering fireplace burner technology. Matter resolved just prior to trial.

J. Blazek v. Euro Expo 3000, Inc., (United States District Court of Minnesota, 06-3829, Judge Ann D. Montgomery). Represented Plaintiff in collection of judgment for infringement of nail file patents.

Travel Tags, Inc. v. Digital Replay, Inc., (United States District Court of Minnesota, 02-4726, Judge Michael J. Davis). Represented Plaintiff in lawsuit regarding infringement of gift card patented technology. Matter resolved through settlement.