Seligsohn Gabrieli Benshafrut

Leveraging decades of international patent experience, we lead our clients through intricate patent processes – transforming ideas into valuable, tangible business assets.

Each patent is a unique world that requires a profound understanding of both technology and patent law.We accompany clients throughout all stages required to secure their patents and to leverage them for business success. We conduct each process with sharpened senses and a strong professional compass, protecting clients’ assets every step of the way. Our patent services merge our professional proficiency and comprehensive capabilities with our commitment to establishing strong, trust-based relationships with our clients. Processes are carefully defined and detailed, as we strategically navigate through the patents world on their behalf. Decisions are made with full dedication to our clients’ goals, as we consider varying landscapes, intricacies of diverse industries, technological developments, consumer behaviors, global trends and projections. 

Our ability to provide business landscaping services allows our clients to achieve a full grasp of the business arena they are operating in, and to identify technological “white spots” based on a profound understanding of their competitors’ endeavors, as well as the trends occurring within relevant sectors and geographical areas.  With expertise in the fields of life sciences and chemistry, as well as materials, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, diagnostics, agriculture, cannabis, green technologies, water technologies, and nanotechnologies, as well as in physics, electronics, computer sciences, and engineering, amongst others, we know it is our responsibility to fully immerse ourselves in the subject at hand, so that we can pave the path to success with confident strides and conviction. 

Our extensive experience, combined with our cooperation with our group’s IP law firm, Seligsohn, Gabrieli & Co., enables us to lead a wide-ranging patent strategy on behalf of our clients, supported by all aspects of IP law services, which includes both registered and non-registered IP as well as trade secrets. This synergetic approach provides a comprehensive professional vantage point for our clients, with a bona fide arsenal of services and tools required to successfully set their strategy into action.

We help you stand out
Consultation: Owning a unique patent is vital for any business that aims to thrive. We help our clients develop comprehensive patents protection plans that enable them to accomplish their business goals and to secure a unique position in the market. Our consultation services are determined according to each case at hand, and include ongoing guidance regarding all of their patents matters. These include examining the patentability of inventions, conducting patent searches, and attending to all requirements for filing and protecting the patents portfolio in Israel and abroad. Our consultation services are wide ranging yet client-focused, and always consider the circumstances impacting our client’s patents, as well as their optimal route for long term success. Our strategic thinking and business savvy approach means that we are much more than consultants. We are passionate, highly committed professionals that define the best strategy according to the client’s goals and ideas, identify the optimal path, and lead the way to it. 

Filing and prosecution: Translating technical and often complex issues into comprehensive and sound business decisions, we are committed to helping our clients maximize their patents potential, and to defend them against any possible challenge that may arise. Our experience and in-depth expertise enables us to avoid the pitfalls of patent applications that are oftentimes drafted too narrowly, provide limited flexibility, or make enforcement litigation unnecessarily complicated or expensive. Now, more than ever before, patents must be prepared while maintaining a clear view of potential litigation, along with a keen understanding of the legal principles governing the interpretation and enforcement of patents.

Seligsohn, Gabrieli & Benshafrut files patent applications in Israel on behalf of local inventors, as well as for local and overseas corporations and other persons, prosecuting such applications until patents are granted. We also act on behalf of local inventors and technology based corporations, assisting them in securing their rights in foreign countries by filing international applications under the PCT or via direct national filing routes. Our clients also benefit from the added value of legal services provided by our group’s IP law firm, Seligsohn, Gabrieli & Co, in drafting the application and during the prosecution process, opposition proceedings and infringement proceedings, enabling us to optimally address complex and challenging patent matters which involve both technological and legal issues. We represent both patent holders and alleged infringers in patent infringement actions tried before the District Courts. 

We also represent clients in appeals on District Court judgments in infringement cases. Such appeals are heard and decided by the Supreme Court of Israel. Litigation services also comprise various proceedings before the Registrar of Patents. These include, but are not limited to, oppositions, applications for revocation of patents, and compulsory license proceedings. 

Our ability to provide extensive patent services which are supported – and propelled – by a profound understanding of diverse and cutting-edge technologies is a truly remarkable asset that we are proud of, and are honored to share with our clients. Our collaboration with Seligsohn, Gabrieli and Co. is built-in and synergistic monumental, and positions us as an unparalleled patent practice that has a solid stronghold within the innovative Israeli technology sector, backed by a leading IP services firm.  We recognize the value we bring to our clients through our knowledge, experience and insights, as well as combined competencies – which can mean the difference between success and failure, surviving or thriving. 

Patent term extension: The process of patent term extension (PTE) in Israel is highly intricate. During the last ten years, the Israeli Patent Law of 1976 has undergone multiple amendments, resulting in PTE provisions that are at times unclear and ambiguous. 

Extension Orders in Israel pertain to two sectors: to pharmaceutical products containing an active ingredient upon its initial registration in the Israeli Pharmaceutical Registry, and to medical devices, under certain terms. The decision to issue an Extension Order is dependent, among other things, on the approval to market the pharmaceutical product, as well as the existence of a corresponding Extension Order in the US and the EU.    

Leveraging our proficiency in handling PTE applications in Israel, our services include ongoing legal advice, applications drafting and examining, representation before all tribunals and courts in Israel, litigation, and other services. Working in collaboration within our group with Seligsohn, Gabrieli & Co. provides additional legal support for our clients with a wide array of legal services in all aspects of intellectual property.  Our joined capabilities work for the benefit of our clients in the pharmaceutical industry that receive a legal solution which is tailored to their specific needs and requirements.

Patentability and FTO: Freedom to Operate (FTO) refers to the liberty to leverage a product in a certain country, without the risk of infringing on third-party rights in that country. As many companies discover, having a patent does not guarantee the ability to exploit it, as third parties may have certain prior IP rights that may prevent the company from placing their product on the market. 

A comprehensive FTO search is the best way to minimize the risk of IP rights infringement, and to enable managers to make informed decisions before taking risks. This entails locating any existing relevant IP rights in the target country or countries, and determining the level of risk these rights present. The scope of any FTO search is largely dependent on the investment in developing and bringing the product to market. The bigger the investment in the product ‒ the more thorough the FTO search should be. It is important to note that no FTO search provides 100% protection, but the more effort is invested in the search, the more protection it offers. Our firm ensures that the optimal FTO searches are conducted when necessary, ensuring the protection of our clients’ rights in any country, and in any industry.