Francesco Sardone

Mr. Sardone has a B.E. in mechanical engineering from Steven’s Institute of Technology,
and a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law. Mr. Sardone has over twenty-five years of
experience in all phases of strategic domestic and international patent portfolio development,
including drafting patent applications and preparing responses to office actions received from the
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and Foreign Trademark Offices, conducting due diligence
investigations, validity studies, freedom-to-operate/right-to-use studies and preparing related
opinions, and advising clients, including startups to Fortune 100 companies, on intellectual
property issues. A sample of his fields of technology include simple to complex mechanical
systems and devices ranging from consumer electronics to medical devices; electrical systems
and smart devices; electronics and controls; wireless technologies; machine and computer vision
in the field of surgery; handheld to robotic assisted medical devices; other electromechanical
arts; and innovations in the field of advanced aviation technologies including hypersonic
propulsion systems.
A trusted advisor and steward for his clients, Mr. Sardone was asked to take on the role
of a secondment as his client looked to more permanently fill the role of an in-house intellectual
property attorney.

Publications

• Five Questions Novice Toy and Game Inventors Should ask themselves about Intellectual
  Property Protection
• Protecting Ideas: Perspectives for Individuals and Companies
• What’s in a Name? Trademarks and the Toy and Game Industry

Speaking Engagements

• Mar. 2025 – “Toy Fair University 2025,” IP in the Toy Industry – Presenter
• Nov. 2023 – “People of Play at Chicago Toy & Game Fair,” What is Protectable Now
  and in the Future – Presenter
• Oct. 2023 – “SFIA Start-Up Challenge,” Sports and Fitness Industry Association – Judge
• Oct. 2023 – “Toy Fair University 2023,” IP in the Toy Industry – Presenter
• Nov. 2022 – “People of Play at Chicago Toy & Game Fair,” What is Protectable Now and in the Future – Presenter
• Jul. 2022 – “SFIA Start-Up Challenge,” Sports and Fitness Industry Association – Judge
• Mar. 2022 – “IP in the Toy Industry,” Entrepreneurship in the Toy Industry, University of Southern California – Guest Lecturer
• Sep. 2021 – “IP in the Toy Industry,” Entrepreneurship in the Toy Industry, University of Southern California – Guest Lecturer
• May 2018 – “Intellectual Property: Surviving as a Little Fish in a Big IP Pond,” Stevens Institute of Technology – Venture Center – Lecture Series
• Apr. 2018 – “Top Questions for IP Attorneys,” Long Island Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club
• Nov. 2017 – “Intellectual Property – Overview,” Chicago Toy and Game Conference
• Nov. 2016 – “Contracts and Clauses – Overview,” Chicago Toy and Game Conference