Zachary S. Pratt

Senior Associate

Email: zpratt@fredlaw.com
Office: 515.242.8935

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PRIMARY SERVICES

Patents
Intellectual Property
Artificial Intelligence
Technology & Data

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Trade Secrets
Life Sciences

“I have always been a curious individual, and I use that curiosity to drive my work. I want to learn everything I can about the inventions and the goals of the company or individuals that created the new technology. In doing so, I can help procure intellectual property for the client that helps them achieve their short- and long-term objectives effectively and efficiently.”

Overview

Zach uses his legal experience and computer science background to advise clients on how to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their intellectual property strategies.

Zach primarily focuses on the prosecution and litigation of software, mechanical and medical device patents in addition to trademark registration. He assists technology-driven clients with developing effective strategies to maximize the protection that intellectual property can provide to companies both large and small. Zach is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

He also provides counsel for companies looking to broaden their intellectual property portfolio to cover both where the client currently is and where the client is looking to go in the future. While protecting current assets is important, Zach understands that protecting the future of a company is of an equal or greater importance. By getting to know the client, he is able to provide guidance that brings technology-driven clients through their development and into a thriving future.

Zach has drafted and prosecuted patent applications in a variety of software-focused technology areas, including artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, user interfaces, video coding, virtual reality systems, networks, blockchain and various other applied algorithms dealing with areas including weather detection, medical devices, personal identification, market forecasting, automobile navigation and bug detection. Zach also provides assistance with infringement analysis for litigation and due diligence in connection with mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Fredrikson, Zach gained experience at a law firm in Woodbury, MN, where he drafted and prosecuted patent applications for a wide variety of companies, including multiple Fortune 100 companies, defense contractors, social media companies, large video coding companies and research institutions. Zach worked with solo inventors and smaller companies as a summer associate in Boston, MA. Additionally, Zach worked closely with Jason Rantanen, the author of one of the patent industry’s most renowned blogs, at the University of Iowa as a research assistant while in law school.

Experience

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Cloud and SaaS Experience

Written multiple patent applications regarding Internet and SaaS applications
Written patent applications regarding interactions with and verification of cloud devices
Written patent applications regarding local and virtual storage
Successfully prosecuted patent applications with subject matter eligibility (35 U.S.C. § 101) rejections where the subject matter dealt with network communications and data transfers/storage
Published articles focused on subject matter eligibility issues prevalent in software patents, including strategies for easily overcoming such issues
Drafted and prosecuted software-related patents focused on interfaces, algorithms, and data evaluation

Software

Artificial intelligence systems and machine learning algorithms for a number of different applied systems
Securely updating software and firmware on distributed devices using blockchain
Various input and visual features for virtual reality and augmented reality systems
Video coding techniques for various coding standards, including HEVC and AVC
User interface features, alert features and communication features for mobile devices
Mobile applications
Application programming interface procedures and improvements
3-Dimensional environment reconstruction for autonomous navigation
Routing algorithms for various types of networks, including Software Defined Wide Area Networks
Interconnection management for large data storage facilities
Clock synchronization techniques for distributed heterogeneous systems
Visual- and content-based enhancements to messages in social media platforms

Applied Algorithms and Systems

Weather and ice crystal detection for weather radars
Market forecasting for banking systems
Bolus timing systems for medical devices
Cardiac morphology detection and analysis techniques for implanted medical devices
Personal identification systems for use in networks in areas of low bandwidth
Image isolation and superimposition
Enhanced lane detection for roads with low visibility
Bug detection in software code

Articles & Presentations

Attorney Zach Pratt Elected to First Tee of Central Iowa Board of Directors

October 7, 2021

Fredrikson & Byron attorney Zachary S. Pratt was recently elected to serve on the First Tee of Central Iowa Board of directors, effective immediately.

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PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

“Software Innovations are More Patentable than You Think,” Iowa Association of Business and Industry, June 18, 2020
“Baby Steps into the Future,” chapter in the book “Predicting Our Future Cyberlife,” 2012

Honors & Education

EDUCATION

University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2013
Saint Michael’s College, B.S., 2010, magna cum laude

BAR ADMISSIONS

Minnesota, 2013
Iowa, 2020
United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2012

HONORS

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, Intellectual Property Law, 2021-2023
Minnesota State Bar Association, North Star Lawyer, 2020-2021
Sports Law Society at the University of Iowa, President, 2012-2013

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Professional Activities

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
Iowa State Bar Association, Member
American Intellectual Property Law Association, Member
Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, Member

COMMUNITY

First Tee – Central Iowa, Board Member, 2021-present
Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar (Vermont Chapter); Director of Staff, Seminar Facilitator, Seminar Committee Member; 2008–2016