Erik specializes in helping European companies navigate the intricacies of U.S. intellectual property law in an efficient and cost-effective manner. With nearly 25 years of experience, Erik is a recognized expert in maximizing protection of his clients’ IP in the U.S. while avoiding or minimizing problems with third party rights. In addition to the filing and prosecuting of U.S. patent applications, his expertise encompasses post-grant proceedings in the U.S. Patent Office as well as patent infringement litigation in U.S. federal courts. He advises companies on the intellectual property aspects of business transactions and commercialization of products in the U.S., including infringement and validity assessments, licensing, due diligence, and capturing and leveraging of technology for start-ups.
Erik’s clients include leading companies in fields as diverse as semiconductors, domestic appliances, optics, telecommunications, electrical switching and connection devices, automotive technologies and chemical processes.
Prior to beginning his legal career, Erik spent eight years as a Navy nuclear submarine officer, during which he developed academic and hands-on experience in nuclear power, electronics, chemistry, and telecommunications. He graduated first in his class from the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School. During law school, he was managing editor of the Virginia Journal of International Law.
Erik contributes a regular column to the leading intellectual property law journal in Germany, Mitteilungen der deutschen Patentanwälte. The English language column, co-authored with fellow Leydig shareholder Thomas Canty, summarizes the latest developments in U.S. patent law.
Erik is a frequent speaker and author on U.S. patent law to European audiences. He co-manages Leydig’s Frankfurt, Germany office and speaks German.
Experience
In his 2 ½ decade career Erik has successfully prosecuted hundreds of applications in the U.S. Patent Office to patent issuance. He has performed patent infringement and validity assessments and produced substantial numbers of formal legal opinions, conducted post-grant proceedings, enforced patent rights against infringers, and drafted license agreements on behalf of his clients.
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- Licensing Executives Society (LES)
- German Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP)
- German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR)
Articles, Publications & Lectures
- “Aktuelles aus den USA,” co-author with T. Canty, Mitteilungen der Deutschen Patentanwälte, (regular column on recent developments in U.S. patent law), 2007-present
- “Acquisition and Enforcement of U.S. Design Patents,” Bardehle IP Akademie, December 2014
- “Design Patent Protection in the U.S.,” VPP regional conference, Kronberg, October 2013
- “Acquisition and Enforcement of U.S. Design Patents,” Bardehle IP Akademie, December 2012
- “Attorney-Client Privilege in U.S. Patent Litigation,” Charted Institute of Patents (CIPA), Leeds, September 2012
- “U.S. Patent Reform: What it means to the European Practitioner” IP for IP Seminar, Copenhagen, June 2012
- “Patentrecht USA,” Management Circle, various cities in Germany, February 2010, April 2009, August 2008, July 2007, November 2006, February 2006
- “US Patentrecht,” FORUM, Offenbach, Germany, October 2009
- “Obviousness: Auswirkungen der US-Supreme Court Entscheidung im Fall KSR v. Teleflex,” VPP national conference, Augsburg, October 2007
- “Der Angriff gegen ein US-Patent,“ VPP regional conference, Kronberg, April 2007
- “An Overview of Patent Infringement Damages in the United States,” co-author with J. Christiansen, Mitteilungen der Deutsche Patentanwälte, 2006
- “Patent Enforcement and Patent Infringement in the U.S.A.,” Wissinfo Seminar, Freiburg, Germany, May 2006
- “Symbol Technologies v. Lemelson – Commentary,” Mitteilungen der Deutsche Patentanwälte, 2005
- “Die CAFC Phillips v. AHW Corp. Entscheidung und wie ein U.S. Gericht den Fall Spannschraube entscheiden würde,” co-author with T. Canty, VPP Rundbrief, 2005
- “Die CAFC Phillips v. AHW Corp. Entscheidung – und wie ein U.S. Gericht den Fall Spannschraube Entscheiden würde,” VPP national conference, Weimar, December 2005
- “Anwendungsbereich der Äquivalenzlehre nach der Entscheidung Festo Corp. v. Shoketso Kinzoku K.K,“ VPP regional conference, Mainz, December 2001
Languages
- German
- Spanish
Outside The Office
In his free time Erik is an avid mountain biker, usually accompanied by his dog Huckle (not on the bike).
Practices
Technologies
Insights
- Leydig Frankfurt Office Co-Hosted U.S. Patent Law Seminar on September 23
September 24, 2025 - Erik Swanson Discusses Recentive Analytics v. Fox Corp. Federal Circuit Decision
August 4, 2025 - Leydig Attorneys Attend Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP) Conference in Berlin
October 25, 2024 - Erik Swanson Discusses the Federal Circuit Decision in Brumfield which Allows Patent Damages for Foreign Conduct
September 16, 2024 - Leydig Attorneys Attend Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP) Conference in Germany
May 1, 2024 - Leydig Attorneys Attend Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP) Conference in Germany
November 1, 2023 - Federal Circuit Reverses Rule 12(b)(6) Dismissal of Complaint for Patent Ineligibility under Alice
October 31, 2022