Got a patent idea? Talk to expert at MCC

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at McHenry County College will host David Harper, PhD., J.D. of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, who will be available from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. He will offer a free, no-obligation one-on-one discussion about the patent consideration in protecting products from small businesses.

Appointments are open to any employer or entrepreneur with fewer than 500 employees.

"At the Illinois Small Business Development Center, we try to provide the area's small businesses with the skills they need to move their business to the next level," said Mary Margaret Maule, ISBDC coordinator.

"We have offered seminars conducted by Matthew Perrone, a patent attorney of Algonquin, on patent, trademark and copyrights for several years. We are delighted to be able to offer additional resources to area business owners."

Harper's practice focuses on counseling start-up and emerging companies, as well as universities and venture capital firms. His work includes intellectual property matters, patent procurement and portfolio development, licensing, opinions and patent enforcement. Harper has extensive experience in counseling start-ups and emerging companies on protecting their product niche and making them attractive to investors.

Harper earned his jurist doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law, his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Illinois and his bachelor of science in biology from Northern Illinois University.

For information or to schedule an appointment, call the McHenry County College ISBDC at (815) 455-6098. Appointments will be held at the Shah Corporate Center, 4100 W. Shamrock Lane, McHenry.