Optics, Photonics and Imaging

Consumer equipment. Telecommunications. Medicine. Industrial manufacturing. Construction. Aviation. Military. Entertainment. Information processing. The list of applications in the Optics, Photonics and Imaging (OPI) sector is virtually endless – and currently experiencing dynamic and vibrant growth in New York State and around the world.

Because Phillips Lytle has the expertise to support photonics and optics companies, and we are able to handle a myriad of legal matters, including everything from the protection of intellectual property, analyzing jurisdiction and classification under U.S. export control laws and regulations, to advising on licensing requirements.

The firm is a member of New York Photonics/Rochester where our attorneys have presented on issues related to unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and export controls. Phillips Lytle attorneys have attended and presented at SPIE conferences such as Photonics West and Defense + Commercial Sensing, and are involved with organizations serving the photonics and optics sector, including Greater Rochester Enterprise and High Tech Rochester.

Phillips Lytle attorneys are experienced in advising companies on the regulation of technologies and products under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

We also have significant experience representing photonics and optics companies before federal government agencies and offices regarding export control and related international trade matters, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). When these agencies propose new rules and amendments to trade regulations, our attorneys in Washington, DC are prepared to submit comments and meet with Executive and Legislative branch officials and their staffs to advocate our clients’ interests and concerns.

Representative matters in the OPI sector:

• Advised a U.S. subsidiary of a German laser manufacturer on technology export compliance issues with respect to joint product development with a Taiwanese company and secured technology export license from BIS. 
• Advising a U.S. optics company on ITAR controls and submitting a Commodity Jurisdiction request to DDTC seeking to remove products from DDTC jurisdiction and continue sales to a Canadian defense contractor under the EAR.
• Ongoing advice to a U.S. subsidiary of a German laser manufacturer on EAR compliance, including use of End-Use/End-User statements, restricted party screening, and preparing and submitting export and reexport license applications to BIS for exports from the U.S. and Germany to multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia.
• Successfully represented an optics company before the Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement, in the investigation of potential export and re-export violations of EAR- and ITAR-controlled devices, resulting in a finding of no violations. Advised the company on product jurisdiction and classification determinations, license requirements, and a compliance program.
• Advised an Arizona-based company on the acquisition of medical imaging and diagnostic technology, including the patent infringement analyses with respect to competitor intellectual property.
• Advised and performed patent and other intellectual property due diligence for a Rochester-based company focused on 3D display technology.
• Drafted and secured U.S. and foreign patents for a Buffalo-based company with augmented reality technology and lenticular imaging techniques.